PhD In Vitro Research on the Effects of Menopause on the Liver

During menopause, there are significant fluctuations in the production of sex hormones. Many women experience physical symptoms as a result. These hormonal changes have been shown to affect insulin sensitivity. For example, women with diabetes mellitus experience more pronounced blood sugar fluctuations during menopause. In addition, women are relatively protected against metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) as a complication of diabetes compared to men before menopause, but this protection disappears entirely after menopause. During your PhD research, you will study the metabolic, inflammatory, and pro-fibrotic effects related to decreased insulin sensitivity around menopause. You will conduct this research using various cell models.

This research is part of the large NWO-ORC consortium 'MenoPause', which investigates the impact of menopause on women's mental and physical health across various disciplines. The part of the research you will be working on is a collaboration between the Metabolic Health Research Department within the Healthy Living & Work unit of TNO, and the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Endocrine Laboratory at Amsterdam UMC. This means that you will be working at both TNO in Leiden and at the Endocrine Laboratory at Amsterdam UMC.

This research specifically focuses on the influence of sex hormones on the development of MASLD and insulin resistance. You will investigate the various pathophysiological mechanisms in advanced cell models. You will be part of a preclinical research group and collaborate with a postdoc working on this topic. Amsterdam UMC and TNO have collaborated for many years to investigate different aspects of MASLD, and part of the practical work will be carried out at TNO.

You will also closely collaborate with other researchers within the consortium studying the role of sex hormones in muscles, bones, and the cardiovascular system. You will contribute to sharing the results with the general public, patients, healthcare providers, and fellow researchers. Finally, as a PhD candidate, you will contribute to the department's education, for instance by supervising internships or working groups.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and eager PhD candidate.

• You have a master's degree in biomedical sciences or a related discipline;
• You have experience with cell cultures, preferably in the liver;
• You see it as an advantage to work in two different locations, gaining experience both at an academic institution and TNO;
• You are interested in PhD research on the effects of menopause on the liver;
• You have good verbal and written communication skills in English.

• A great start to your research career.
• Strong supervision and integration of your research within a national consortium with motivated colleagues from different disciplines.
• Access to the training programme of the Amsterdam UMC Doctoral School.
• A 4-year contract with a 1-year probation period.
• Salary scale OIO: €3,017 to €3,824 gross for a full-time position (depending on education and experience) and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here.
• Annual leave: 186.4 hours per year for a full-time position, with the possibility of saving additional hours.
• Pension scheme with BeFrank, a modern, transparent, and fairly priced pension.
• 100% public transport reimbursement for trips >7 km, or €0.18 per km for private transport, up to 40 km each way.
• Prefer walking or cycling? Use our bike scheme and receive compensation of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video for more information about employment at Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Your primary workplace will be with the research group focused on the endocrine regulation of metabolism within the Endocrinology Department and Endocrine Laboratory of Amsterdam UMC. You will also spend approximately half of your time on a project basis at TNO Leiden, where the 3D cell models have been developed.