DNA carries the instructions of life, but is also under constant attack. The resulting damage, if not repaired, leads to mutation and disease. Common environmental mutagens include sunlight and cigarette smoke, but the integrity of DNA is also threatened by chemicals produced by our own body. Our labs seek to understand the 1) sources of DNA damage in a physiological setting and 2) molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, and how these prevent mutagenesis. In order to do this, the Garaycoechea lab is developing methods to study mutation in somatic tissue and uses genetics in a number of systems, including mice, to gain mechanistic insight into the process that drive this. The Knipscheer lab uses Xenopus egg extracts to study the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair of toxic DNA lesions.

We seek a highly motivated Bioinformatician holding an MSc degree in bioinformatics, molecular biology, cell biology or equivalent. A PhD degree is desired but not essential. The candidate will develop data analysis pipelines and provide essential Bioinformatic support to the Garaycoechea and the Knipscheer labs. Ideal candidates have experience analysing WGS NGS data, developing pipelines for variant calling and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary research. The working language in our international teams is English, the candidate should therefore have excellent English communication skills and be able to work as part of a team.

According to “CAO-Nederlandse Universiteiten” (CAO-NU), depending on experience scale 8 or 9 excluding 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits.

1 year with the possibility of an extension after positive evaluation.

Hubrecht Institute

The focus of research at the Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research is developmental and stem cell biology. The institute has twenty-four interdisciplinary research groups that conduct basic research using healthy and sick cells, tissue and organisms.

The Hubrecht Institute collaborates with numerous local, national and international laboratories. It is partnered with Utrecht University Medical Centre, Utrecht University, Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Oncode Institute.