Are you interested in a postdoc position focused on neuromuscular diseases? Do you want to contribute to the understanding of homeostatic responses in diseased muscles and neuromuscular synapses? Then this position might be the one for you.

As a postdoc you will work on a joint project of the Departments of Human Genetics and Neurology. The project aims to find strategies to strengthen neuromuscular synapses in patients with auto-immune myasthenia gravis. MuSK and AChR auto-antibodies cause myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease that leads to fatigable muscle weakness. In both forms of this autoimmune disease, susceptibility to the muscle weakness varies between muscle groups and individuals. Why certain muscles and individuals are more sensitive to the autoantibodies is largely unknown. We hypothesize that a major factor is a muscle-specific difference in the capability to have  homeostatic responses to the diseased state. With this project you will increase our understanding on homeostatic responses in diseased muscles. With this knowledge we can develop strategies  to strengthen diseased neuromuscular synapses, which might be translated in the future into a treatment for patients with a variety of neuromuscular diseases.

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist who is interested in immunology, autoimmunity and neuroscience. You hold a PhD in biomolecular sciences or equivalent and have gained ample experience with molecular and cell biology research, preferably in the field of neuroscience and immunology. You should possess laboratory skills in molecular biology and have completed the ‘article 9’ course allowing you to work with experimental animals. You have proven interest in immunological techniques as well as bioinformatics analyses. Your work performance is well-structured and accurate. Excellent communication and scientific writing skills, including fluency in English, are essential.

Fixed-term contract: min. 1 year.

You will be employed on the basis of a 36-hour week. Appointment is for 1 year, with the possiblity of an extension. The salary will depend on your qualifications and experience, with a maximum of € 4,361 gross per month based on a full time position (scale 10 of the Collective Labor Agreement for University Hospitals).

LUMC

At the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), we are continually seeking to improve the quality of healthcare. The LUMC aims for excellence in patient care, research, teaching, training and continuing education.

http://www.lumc.nl/

Human Genetics (Prof Dr S.M. van der Maarel, head of the department) and Neurology (Prof Dr J.J.G.M. Verschuuren, head of the department)

You will work in between two departments at the LUMC: Human Genetics (Prof Dr S.M. van der Maarel, head of the department) and Neurology (Prof Dr J.J.G.M. Verschuuren, head of the department). Both departments have a longstanding collaboration on research of Neurological Motor Disorders. This research is embedded in the LUMC medical research profile 'Translational Neurosciences'. The collaboration facilitates translational research based on fundamental research, analyses of patient material and clinical expertise. It is also supported through interactions with other departments both in- and outside the LUMC. The MuSK research team is led by Dr. M.G.M. Huijbers.