You will work in close contact with other teams within the Maastro lab using patient-derived models and other consortium members to combine PD-L2 targeting with immune cells to optimize the elimination of senescent tumour cells. Subsequently, the models will be used to demonstrate safety and efficacy in vivo by the consortium.

You will be working at the Radiotherapy department (Maastro lab), in Maastricht, South of the Netherlands. The lab is situated at location of Maastricht University, but we closely collaborate with Maastro, institute for radiotherapy (www.maastro.nl). Within the lab, we have four PI-led teams focused on identifying actionable dependencies in tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment that can be targeted to enhance and prolong treatment response while preserving normal tissue function. Learn more about Maastro lab’s research groups at: https://www.maastrolab.com/

We are looking for an ambitious postdoc highly motivated in translational oncology to work together with an international consortium to obtain proof of senescent cell targeting to improve immunotherapy combination treatments. Proficiency in English (minimum of IELTS 7 or equivalent), excellent communicative skills, and team player spirit are essential. You should be able to function independently, and prior experience with organoid culture and Immune-oncology is preferred. Besides running your research project, your responsibilities include the co-supervision of the laboratory work of (PhD) students and technicians.

Fixed-term contract: A full-time contract for an initial period of one year, with the intention for an extension with another year.

We offer you a full-time contract (36 hours/week) for an initial period of one year, with the intention for an extension with another year. You will be employed by Maastro, where the Collective Labor Agreement forHospitals (“CAO Ziekenhuizen”) applies. Your salary will be according to the salary scale FWG 60 (min. € 3.389,-max. € 4.964,- gross/month), depending on relevant work experience. Furthermore, you will receive an 8.33% holiday allowance and an 8.33% end-of-year bonus.

Also, we offer a wide range of options for personal development, including hard- and soft skills courses. We invest in the employability and vitality of our employees and offer discounts on, for example, sports subscriptions. Applications from abroad may qualify for the 30% tax rule and moving cost reimbursement. If a residence/work permit is required, our HR department will assist with the application.

Maastro

The internationally acclaimed state-of-the-art radiotherapy institute Maastro in Maastricht delivers cancer care in the Limburg region of the Netherlands, aiming to cure patients while preventing side effects of the treatments. With 330 employees, we contribute to this endeavour, in patient care, research and business operations. We are one of three centers in the Netherlands treating cancer patients with proton therapy. Furthermore, we have well-established research groups and work closely with Maastricht University and Maastricht University Hospital (MUMC+) in education, clinical and preclinical research. Does working in a dynamic and innovative organization appeal to you? Check our website, www.maastro.nl and get in touch with us.

Maastro lab (Radiotherapy department)

Maastro lab (https://www.maastrolab.com), led by Marc Vooijs, conducts fundamental and translational research to provide the best and safest radiation combination treatment for every patient and is affiliated with the Maastro and the Maastricht Comprehensive Cancer Centre. The lab-department has four PI led groups with research themes in tumour cell metabolism, cell death, extracellular vesicles and Notch signaling and stem cellfate. Furthermore, we have core facilities for NextGen sequencing, iPSC facility, high resolution (live) optical and (cryo) electron microscopy and mass spectrometry imaging (M4I).

A new and exciting area in radiotherapy is the combination with Immunotherapy. Therapy induced senescence (TIS) is a growth arrest state frequently caused by anticancer agents. It results in the secretion of pro- tumourigenic factors that ultimately fuel tumour cell persistence, proliferation and (Immunotherapy) therapy resistance. This project aims to identify and remove treatment-induced senescent cells using an Immune checkpoint blockade (mAb-PD-L2). In this Eurostars project, you will collaborate with Rejuveron, Screenin3D, TAmiRNA and Crownbio to obtain preclinical data demonstrating the efficacy of mAb-PD-L2 and develop a companion diagnostic to forward into clinical studies.