PhD student on transcription stress in non-dividing cells

The PhD position is part of project embedded within the Marie Curie PhD network centred on mechanobiology, i.e. the study of how physical forces and mechanical cues shape cell physiology. Evidence indicates that key mechanisms of neurodegeneration and cancer, including cytoskeletal alterations, protein aggregation, protein phase transitions, DNA damage response, transcription stress, epigenetic changes and metabolic alterations, can result as a consequence of mechanical alterations. Within this framework, the work to be conducted at the Erasmus MC will focus on defining the mechanobiology impact on DNA damage associated with transcription stress in non‑dividing cells.

Transcription stress acts as a potent trigger of the DNA damage response (DDR), coordinating multiple essential cellular processes. This is particularly relevant in post‑mitotic lineages, where the DDR relies primarily on transcription‑coupled mechanisms rather than replication‑associated pathways. Such mechanisms are central to neurodegenerative diseases as well as in cancer, where differentiated lineages can undergo reprogramming and serve as cells of origin. The PhD student will investigate the molecular basis linking mechanobiology and transcription stress by applying omics approaches, live‑cell imaging, and organoid models. The main objectives of the project are to determine the specific types of DNA damage induced by mechanical alterations, to characterise the resulting transcription‑stress signalling and repair responses, and to evaluate the impact of these processes on proteomic homeostasis. The project is expected to provide fundamental insights into how mechanical signals, DNA damage, and transcription processes impair cellular physiology in post‑mitotic cells.

As part of the Marie Curie PhD network, the candidate will benefit from immediate access to an international community of leading experts and peers across Europe, gain exposure to diverse academic and professional environments, and engage actively in dissemination, workshops, and scientific communication.

• Hold a University MSc degree in molecular and cellular biology, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, biotechnology, genetics, or a related life sciences discipline.
• Demonstrate hands-on experience with large-scale multi-omics data analysis; proficiency in Python and R programming is highly valued.
• Travel regularly to attend project meetings, international conferences, and training activities as part of the Marie Curie PhD network.
• Possess high proficiency in English.
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule: You must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment.

Candidates should be available to start by July 1st, 2026.

Applications must be submitted exclusively through our website; applications sent via any other channel will not be considered.

The Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics at Erasmus MC is an highly international research environment. The department brings together researchers working on diverse aspects of cancer, with strong integration into clinical research. This project will be carried out in the laboratory led by Riccardo Fodde, PhD under the direct supervision of Alex Pines, PhD. Our laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms which underlie phenotypic plasticity and cancer initiation by integrating genetics, molecular cell biology, and multi‑omics approaches in both mouse models and human cell systems. Our group collaborates intensively with other groups within the department and collectively we have a strong international reputation in the field of cancer research. The neurobiological component of the project will be carried out in collaboration with the laboratory of Femke de Vrij, PhD in the Department of Psychiatry, under the supervision of Juliette Kamp, PhD. The De Vrij group has extensive expertise in brain development disorders and advanced know‑how in generating human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models to derive defined brain cell types and functional neural networks.

We offer a dynamic, challenging, and collaborative research environment, supported by an excellent training and supervision platform through the PhD program of the Erasmus MC Graduate School. This will be complemented by the unique training opportunities provided through the Marie Curie PhD network.

The Erasmus MC strives for preventive disease prevention and excellence in healthcare and scientific research. Accordingly, Erasmus MC provides access to the latest equipment and techniques in a state-of-the-art environment.

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Do you have questions about the role? Feel free to reach out to Dr. Alex Pines, research scientist, via a.pines@erasmusmc.nl or +31 10 704 44 90.

Applications must be submitted exclusively through our website. Applications sent via any other channel will not be considered.