This PhD project is one of the 12 work packages within a large Dutch Science Agenda consortium termed SYMPHONY comprising multiple Dutch research and academic centers. SYMPHONY aims to significantly improve treatment for patients with bleeding disorders. The innovations will have significant societal impact both for patient care as well as costs for society. The scientific breakthroughs will lead to a better understanding of underlying mechanisms leading to inter-individual variation in bleeding phenotype, treatment and diagnosis necessity according to severity of disease.

You will join the proteomics team at Sanquin Research that is part of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Hemostasis, where a vibrant international group of 35-40 colleagues (principle Investigators, postdocs, PhD students and technicians) is dissecting hemostatic networks using mass spectrometry (MS)-based technologies. We aim to gain insight in critical interactions that underlie the interplay between plasma proteins, circulating blood cells and the vasculature.

In this project, you will link plasma and blood cell profiles to bleeding phenotype in the two most common inherited bleeding disorders Hemophilia A (HA) & Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). To achieve this goal, you will develop and employ MS-based approaches to (i) Identify novel hemostatic modifiers that explain inter-individual variation of bleeding phenotype in HA and VWD patients (ii) Analyze association of desmopressin-treatment responses with plasma protein profiles (iii) Assess levels of endogenous and exogenous coagulation factor VIII during combined desmopressin/factor VIII concentrate treatment.

The objective of this project is to ethically evaluate gene therapy and other novel interventions for patients with bleeding disorders. Special attention will be given to ethical questions regarding access to treatment, distributive justice, and other research ethics challenges regarding biomedical innovations. Background: Previous consultation of stakeholders by the World Federation of Haemophilia [1] and Dutch experience with gene therapy and Emicizumab (one of the novel therapies) have identified a number of ethical aspects of these treatments, including uncertainty about long term risks, patient-identity and what counts as a decent minimum in health care (one time high costs of gene therapy versus continuing costs of other interventions). These issues should be clarified before novel therapies can become part of the standard of care.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• a master’s degree in chemistry, biology, (bio)molecular/biomedical/pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent
• a background in mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography;
• affinity with quantitative proteomics, data statistics, and bioinformatics.

A dynamic position in a unique organization: this is the only place in the world where medical, pharmaceutical and scientific expertise are combined in a single innovative company. In addition, we offer the following terms of employment:

• pay in accordance with the Sanquin Collective Labour Agreement;
• 36-hour position with flexible hours;
• a temporary position for four years;
• an end-of-year bonus (pro rata in case of part-time or temporary employment);
• various opportunities for education and development;
• 201 hours of leave in case of full-time employment (36 hours per week);
• modern terms of employment, with the option of selecting your preferred terms.

Sanquin

For more information on 'Research at Sanquin' please watch the video accessible via this link.