The department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine of the Erasmus MC has a strong preclinical nuclear medicine research group with multiple PIs in the field of radiochemistry, radiobiology, preclinical imaging and translational research. Animal research is still an indispensable part of the development of novel substances for use in medicine. Our department contributes to reduction and refinement of such research through the use of imaging studies. In order to further refine such studies, after obtaining encouraging preliminary results in the species L. maximus and A. fulica we will be developing gastropod (i.e. snails and slugs) based animals models to potentially replace some studies in vertebrates (i.e. mice and rats) with a focus on all aspects surrounding radionuclide imaging.

For this project which is performed by the research group "Translational Nuclear Medicine" (lead: prof. dr. Erik Verburg) you will be working closely with the aforementioned research lines of our department as well as the Erasmus MC experimental animal facility (EDC) and core facility Applied Molecular Imaging Erasmus MC (AMIE), as well as with the laboratories of associated Academic Centers of Excellence such as the ACE Thyroid diseases or the ACE Neuroendocrine Tumours to identify potentially relevant physiological targets for gastropod research, such as the substrate for thyroid function in gastropods or the analogies between human bone metabolism and gastropod shell metabolism. These targets will then be explored more thoroughly in terms of both in-vivo imaging studies and ex-vivo validating histological and genomic studies. Furthermore, you will be conducting studies into animal welfare (e.g. enrichment, food, anaesthesia methods) for the animals involved. In summary, this project is designed to explore the boundaries of laboratory animal science with a strong consideration for animal welfare in order to refine laboratory animal testing where no non-animal alternatives yet exist as well as contribute to basic scientific knowledge about a largely unexplored group of animals.

We are looking for a person who is highly motivated and holds an MSc degree in veterinary sciences, biology or equivalent related fields. Furthermore we require:

• Willing to work with radioactive substances and acquire the necessary qualifications.
• Ability to "tread the untrodden path" and independently contribute to a pool of ideas in an almost completely unexplored field of science.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment and connect different expertise.
• A keen eye for animal welfare and the 3R principle.
• Willingness to learn and independently perform small animal imaging procedures.
• Capability and (certified) qualification for working with laboratory animals or the willingness to obtain the required certified qualifications.
• Fluent in the English language conforming to the requirements of the Erasmus University (Exceptions are made for persons educated in The Netherlands and native English speakers, otherwise an IELTS paper score minimum 600, IELTS online score minimum 95 or TOEFL test score minimum 7 is required).

Furthermore, of advantage would be:

• Demonstrated affinity for working with invertebrates, especially snails and slugs.
• Knowledge of and experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Knowledge of and experience with genomic / transcriptomic analyses.
• Prior experience in the field of malacology.
• Prior experience in experimenting on laboratory animals will be considered advantageous.
• Furthermore, some knowledge of the German language is of practical advantage as some work will be performed in collaboration with the Institute of Parasitology of the University of Gießen, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

• You will receive a temporary position for the duration of the education for 4 years.
• The gross monthly salary is € 2.570,- in the 1st year and increases to € 3.271,- in the 4th year (scale OIO).
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work.

Erasmus MC

You will be appointed at the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine in the research group "Translational Nuclear Medicine" headed by Prof. Dr. Erik Verburg. This research group is embedded in a rich environment providing nuclear medicine research and care "from proton to population", in which numerous groups are focussed on various aspects of nuclear medicine research.

The Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine of the Erasmus MC is dedicated to high quality patient care, education, and research. Concerning research, the department is known for its forefront research and its state-of-the-art facilities. Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy for neuroendocrine tumours was developed in the department and the preclinical research group has successfully developed and tested various other new radiopharmaceuticals or combinatory treatments from bench to bedside. As a PhD candidate, you will be offered excellent training and supervision through a dedicated teaching program of our Graduate school.