Background: Notch proteins are master regulators of cell fate during development and control selfrenewal and differentiation in most adult tissues. Activation of Notch proteins is regulated by successive enzymatic cleavages that release the cell membrane-bound form that acts as a transcriptional regulator. Notch activity is also regulated by intracellular trafficking but how localization and activity are connected is unclear. We recently identified metal-binding transporters as novel key mediators of intracellular Notch trafficking and activity. 

Key objectives: 1) To identify the importance of metal transport(er), vesicular trafficking and Notch activity and 2) to interfere with metal transport to block Notch activity in tumours or promote regeneration of normal cell types. You will apply gain and loss of function (CRISPR, siRNA, pharmacological) in Notch-dependent 2D and 3D models (cell lines, normal and tumour organoids (lung, intestine) and high-resolution fluorescent imaging (confocal, STED) and single-cell tissue analysis to decipher how metal transport influences Notch signaling to direct cell specification and cell renewal.

We are looking for an open-minded, independent and result-oriented team player with a strong interest in basic research into regenerative medicine and cancer. You are fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months.

The full-time position is offered for three years. Starting date: beginning 2022.

The salary will be set in post-doc salary scale of the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (between € 2.836,- and € 4.474,- gross per month, depending on the level of experience). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 20,000 students and 4,700 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

GROW Institute / Department Radiotherapy

Maastricht University, GROW Institute for Oncology. The radiotherapy department conducts fundamental and translational research and is closely affiliated with MAASTRO patient clinic and the Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Our research is focused on identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities in the tumour microenvironment to improve treatment response. The department has four PI’s with research in the area’s of tumour cell metabolism (Kampen Group), Cell death (Bock group), Extracellular vesicles (Rouschop group) and Notch and Stem cells (Vooijs Group). The lab has a strong expertise in culturing normal and tumour stem cell models (organoids, other 3D models) and hasaccess to a large tissue biobank and material from clinical studies. Furthermore, we have a core facility for high resolution optical and electron microscopy and mass spectrometry (M4I) at UM.