What you are going to do

The research project is a PhD project and part of an ongoing EU-granted project on ‘fever’ (DIAMONDS) and will largely focus on the plasma biomarkers identified in the preceding EU-granted projects EUCLIDS and PERFORM in which our group has participated. These projects have identified a large series of parameters that can help to distinguish bacterial from viral disease. Such markers may in the future help the clinician as a rapid test to decide whether admission and/or antibiotic treatment is required while waiting further results about the actual etiology. Furthermore, if not infectious, a non-infectious inflammatory process in febrile patients can be focused at earlier when an infection seems not to be at stake, as indicated by such early markers. There are objectives within the project to focus at. First, the characterization of leukocyte composition and their activation status and immediate cytokine pattern in different disease states using in-vitro and ex-vivo studies are the focus of the project. Secondly, to study and define the biomarkers and their origin and activity (such as the S100 protein family members) by in-vitro characterization. Thirdly, the initiation of a more in-depth analysis of plasma proteomics as an unbiassed tool for accurate diagnosing infection and which need for a selection of proteins further validation with Luminex/ELISA, and correlation with whole blood composition (both numerical distribution and cellular activation status). The position will be at Sanquin Research, where the Phagocyte lab at Sanquin, which have a longstanding role in deciphering pathological processes related to neutrophil/leucocyte biology, collaborating closely with the AMC, Dept of Experimental Immunology, which has a great reputation in translational science. The research is multidisciplinary and includes molecular biology, fluorescence-based techniques, high throughput techniques (Luminex and mass spectrometry). Sanquin institute provides a lively, internationally oriented, scientific environment with excellent facilities. We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and flexible PhD student who has been trained in cell biology and molecular techniques who is willing to join our research team at Sanquin to investigate the common problems of deciphering fever as a key feature of infection and inflammation in a rigorous manner with state-of-the-art technology. The aim is to gain disease-overarching insight in blood cell and plasma biomarkers to develop novel well-targeted diagnostic approaches for common diseases in practice.

What we expect from you
Prerequisites are as follows:

• Master of Science degree in Biology, Medical Biology or equivalent;
• Significant experience with immunological and cell biological techniques;
• A creative and flexible work attitude; 
• A team player with excellent communication skills in an international setting;
• The capacity to work independently.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months, with the prospect of extention of the contract.

What we offer you
We offer you ample opportunity for development, deepening and broadening, additional training and a place to grow! Working at AMR means working in an inspiring and professional environment where development is encouraged in every respect.

• The maximum gross monthly salary is € 2.495,- in the first year and runs up to € 3.196,- in the forth year (scale OIO CAO UMC) based on a 36 hour workweek.
• The base salary does not include holiday pay (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%).
• We initially offer a contract for 12 months, with the prospect of extention of the contract.
• In addition to excellent accessibility by public transport, AMC also has a sufficient number of parking spaces for employees.
• Pension is accrued at Be Frank.

For an overview of all our other terms of employment, see https://werkenbijamc.nl/arbeidsvoorwaarden-amr/

Amsterdam UMC has an open culture. Together we continuously build an environment where everyone feels welcome. To achieve that, we strive to provide equal opportunities for everyone. We therefore cordially invite all interested parties to respond to this vacancy.

AMC

Over 7000 people work here to provide integrated patient care, fundamental and clinical scientific research, and teaching.
The AMC complex houses the university hospital and the faculty of medicine of UvA as well as the Emma Children’s Hospital, the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, the Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, the medical department of the Royal Tropical Institute and the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development. A number of biotech companies (some of which are AMC spin-offs) are also located on the premises. This concentration of expertise makes the centre a breeding ground for fruitful scientific collaboration.

Blood Cell Research

Within the phagocyte group at the Department of Blood Cell Research there is a team of PhDs and some technicians who have plenty of experience to provide direct guidance and hands-on training for starting up the research proposed. The translational research requests also the interpretation of biomarkers that have been measured in plasma samples and link the biomarkers to the information present in a large clinical database, to which you will be introduced by current PhD students. Contact with a team of database experts in London and Spain may additionally be of help if required. Weekly working discussions and day-to-day supervision is even during the current pandemic guaranteed. Interactions with other research groups at the institute is easy to set up in a highly collaborative environment for which the institute is known. The European collaboration makes the project a unique possibility of networking beyond the local centers in Amsterdam.