Gastro-intestinal (GI) mucositis is a severe side effect of chemotherapy, causing diarrhoea, decreased nutritional intake, pain, blood stream infections, treatment delays and decreased quality of life. Unfortunately, there are no interventions that prevent or shorten the course of GI mucositis. In our research group we have developed rat models to study chemotherapy induced mucositis and used it to study:
1. the function of the gut during mucositis
2. the relationship between the gut microbiome and mucositis
3. possible interventions or prevent or manage mucositis.
Using this model, we have recently shown that a specialized diet prevented GI mucositis and its symptoms. This is a remarkable achievement as, despite extensive (inter)national research in this field, no interventions for the prevention or treatment of GI mucositis have been developed.

In the proposed study we will build on those earlier findings. We will study, again using our established animal model, which elements of the diet drive the beneficial response and the mechanisms driving these benefits. Knowing this, we will be able to develop an optimal diet with the best understanding needed for rapid and confident clinical translation.

The postdoc/junior researcher should have the following requirements:
- PhD or a Masters degree;
- Article 9 certificate;
- Experience working with animal (mouse or rat) models;
- Should be enthusiastic, ambitious and organized;
- Collaborative and communication skills are mandatory.

The employment basis is a temporary contract for one year (36 hours a week) with a possible extension. During this time you will have the opportunity to develop an independent research project, seeing the project from conception through to completion. You will be supported by a multidisciplinary team spanning clinical hemato-oncology, microbiology and gastroenterology. There will be the opportunity to collaborate and work alongside industry partners from Danone (Nutricia) Research, and international collaborators from Australia.

Your salary will be a maximum of € 4.800,- gross per month (scale 10 from 1-8-2022), depending on your qualifications and relevant experience, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Kindergeneeskunde

This is a shared project by the departments of Pediatric Oncology and Medical Microbiology of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). Moreover, we collaborate with the Supportive Oncology Research Group at the University of Adelaide, Australia.