Postdoc Metabolic modelling of head- and neck cancer

The project is funded by ZonME and will focus on metabolism in head-and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer arises in the mucosal linings of the upper-aerodigestive tract and is generally preceded by precancerous changes that may be visible as lesions. In total 50% of patients die of the disease despite invasive treatments. We recently discovered that these tumors rewire their metabolic program atypically. In this project we will use computer models and laboratory experiments to study this atypical metabolic program we will investigate why these tumor cell reprogram metabolism in this remarkable way, and how this can be exploited to improve diagnosis and treatment of these tumors and their preceding precancerous mucosal changes.

Your duties

• development of a genome-scale, constraint-based, mechanistic computational model of metabolism in head-and neck cancer and healthy cells based on phosphoproteomics and transcriptomics
• interrogate model to come with hypotheses for in vitro metabolic behaviour
• putting opportunity to put hypotheses to the test
• present at national and international conference
• contribute to writing of scientific publications, progress reports, and grant applications
• participate in outreach activities, seminars and workshops for the development of scientific and transferable skills

• PhD degree that includes a solid background in Biochemistry and computational biology
• experience in modelling
• wetlab experience
• excellent working knowledge of spoken and written English

Desirable Requirements

• experience in cancer biology, experimental biomedical science
• demonstrable interest in interdisciplinary, international collaborative research

A challenging position in a socially involved organization in the Systems Biology Lab (Systems Biology Lab (teusinkbruggemanlab.nl)

On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,960 (scale 10) and a maximum €4,670 (scale 10), depending on your education and experience.

The job profile Postdoc/ Researcher 4 is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.
The employment contract will be for a period of 18 months.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment,
• solid pension scheme (ABP),
• possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave,
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor - from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

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