PhD candidate 'The Tumour-Stroma Sialoglycan Checkpoint: unravelling Siglec-dependent immune suppression'

We are seeking a PhD candidate to investigate how the two membrane receptors Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 lead to immune suppression of macrophages in pancreatic cancer. This role involves collaboration with the Amsterdam UMC and interest in interdisciplinary science. Will you join our team?

The tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, one of the most devastating types of cancer, consists of a complex network of tumour, stromal, and immune cells that evolves over time, creating an environment that supports immune suppression, impairs therapy efficacy and favours tumor growth. Understanding these cellular and molecular interactions responsible for weakening the immune system is crucial for improving diagnostics and therapies.

One key, yet underexplored, mechanism that leads to immune dysfunction is the addition of sialic acids (small sugar molecules) to proteins. Some of these sialic acids on pancreatic tumour as well as on cancer-associated fibroblasts can bind to specific membrane receptors, called Siglec-7 and Siglec-9, on immune cells. This binding promotes unwanted immune suppression but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. By combining CRSPR/Cas genome editing, 3D tumour organoid cultures, super-resolution microscopy with various biochemical and immunological approaches, the project aims to advance our understanding of the sialic acid dependent immune suppression in tumours.

This project will be carried out in Nijmegen but in strong collaboration with a second PhD candidate from the group of tumour immunologist Yvette van Kooyk at the Amsterdam UMC, who pioneered the field of glycoimmunology. This provides you with a unique and vibrant embedding and the chance to perform interdisciplinary fontier science at the crossroad between cell biology and immunology, ultimately aiming at unravelling and targeting unwanted immune suppression in pancreatic cancer.

The position will become available in the summer of 2025 (1.0 fulltime equivalent; 4.0 years) and will lead to a PhD thesis.

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher (MSc) with a proven track-record and interest in molecular cell biology, immunology, 3D tumour organoid culture and/or advanced fluorescence microscopy. You are highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary environment, naturally curious, undertaking and eager to learn.

Moreover you have:

• An academic degree (MSc) in molecular life sciences, biomedical sciences or a related discipline.
• A strong theoretical background in tumour immunology and/or glycan biochemistry. Experience with cell culture of tumour organoids and/or macrophages.
• Preferentially, hands-on experience in confocal and/or super-resolution microscopy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The position will become available in the summer of 2025 (1.0 fulltime equivalent; 4.0 years) and will lead to a PhD thesis. At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• The salary depends on education. Scale 10 will be offered to MSc medical graduates; you will start at scale 10, step 0 (€ 3.493 full-time). Those holding degrees in other disciplines will be offered scale 10A: upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.017 full-time). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• From 1 July 2025 an increase in salary with 3%.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

At the crossroad among immunology, cell biology and advanced microscopy this project will be carried out at the Department of Medical BioSciences of the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen (Radboudumc), The Netherlands, under the supervision of prof. dr. Alessandra Cambi and dr. Koen van den Dries.

The Department of Medical BioSciences focuses on basic and translational research in the medical biosciences, from molecules to humans, to better understand disease and health and improve diagnostics and treatment. The Department combines research and teaching in various aspects of medical biosciences from the molecular to the whole body level. Biochemical, cellular and physiological aspects of biological processes in health and disease are investigated using both experimental and informatics approaches.

In addition, new drug delivery approaches, biomaterials for tissue engineering, and immunological treatments of tumors are developed. The overarching goal is to translate our findings into clinical applications to further improve health care.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare.

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then call, send a message or email to Alessandra Cambi, Full professor of Cell Biology. Use the Apply button to submit your application.