The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology is a fast-growing research hospital for children with cancer. The institute houses an increasing number of research groups, which aim to develop cures with minimal long-term side effects for all children with cancer. In May 2018, the new building for the Princess Máxima Center opened its doors with the aim to centralise all pediatric cancer treatment and research in the Netherlands. The Tytgat and Molenaar groups are large translational research groups in the Princess Máxima Center with 3 postdocs and 6 PhDs in the Tytgat group and 6 postdocs, 6 PhDs and 7 technicians in the Molenaar group.

Tasks and responsibilities
In our groups we aim to translate molecular genetic knowledge of pediatric solid tumours into new clinical applicable therapeutic interventions. There is a specific focus on pediatric neuroblastoma, as children with high risk neuroblastoma have a survival chance of only 30-40%. Genomic aberrations in neuroblastoma are identified by analysis of patient tumours using high-throughput profiling techniques such as WGS, WES, (single cell) RNA sequencing and methylation profiling. These techniques are applied to patient tumours and organoids but also to a range of liquid biopsies. We also have a high-throughput drug screening platform where we test drug (combinations) in 3D patient-derived organoids.

The primary tasks of the candidate are

• To perform processing and integrative analysis of single cell RNA sequencing of patient tumours from different sites and different stages during treatment. In this project we aim to understand tumour evolution during dissemination and drug treatment.
• To process and analyse liquid biopsy data. This will mainly focus on cell-free DNA sequencing but will also include data from circulating tumour cells. Since liquid biopsies are a young and rapidly developing field this will involve a fair amount of method development and integration.

Education and skills
For the offered position, we are looking for a highly enthusiastic and motivated bioinformatics research scientist with a great interest in omics-based cancer research and data integration. You have programming experience with R, Perl and/or Python. You are familiar with the development of algorithms for the analysis of high-throughput genomics data. You like to collaborate and support other researchers and you are keen on clear communication with colleagues about research methods and results.

We offer
A temporary, fulltime position as a bioinformatics research scientist in a very stimulating and cross-disciplinary research environment. Your gross monthly salary will depend on experience and background. The Princess Máxima Center operates according to the collective labor agreement ‘CAO algemene ziekenhuizen’.

Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

Around 600 children in the Netherlands get cancer every year, and one in four children who are diagnosed with cancer dies from this illness. Ten years ago, a group of parents and healthcare professionals started working towards one national children’s cancer center that could accelerate advances in treatment. Those efforts led to the creation of the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology: a unique center that brings together all the highly complex care and research for children with cancer in the Netherlands.