The consortium will form a unique and highly interdisciplinary team that combines cell, organoid, and tissue biology, as well as chemical and optical cell manipulation to study cell behaviour in development, cancer, and targeted drug delivery.

In this postdoc position at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, you will develop mouse models and techniques to change the behaviour of individual cells by optogenetics in living organisms. You will work together with the groups within the IMAGINE! project who also work on optogenetic or intravital microscopy (The Kapitein group at the University of Utrecht, and the Friedl Group at Radboud UMC). The overall goal is to go “from observing to controlling” cells in order to study tissue self-organisation from “health to disease and back”.

This position is one of many PhD and postdoc positions available as part of the gravitational programme IMAGINE! (Innovative Microscopy And Guidance of cells In their Native Environment). IMAGINE! is an interdisciplinary programme combining cell, organoid, and tissue biology, as well as chemical and optical cell manipulation and analysis to study cell behaviour in development and cancer, and targeted drug delivery. Participating institutes are based throughout the Netherlands in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, Nijmegen, and Eindhoven. For more information on the individual positions, please visit our website imagine-microscopy.nl. 

You will be embedded in the Department of Molecular Pathology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. The Netherlands Cancer Institute comprises an internationally acclaimed research institute as well as a dedicated cancer clinic. This combination ensures rapid translation of basic research into clinical applications: today’s research for tomorrow’s cure.

The research will take place in the van Rheenen group. The van Rheenen group studies the identity, behavior, and fate of cells that drive the initiation and progression of cancer. These populations of cells are rare, and their behavior (e.g. migration) and traits (e.g. stemness) change over time.

To study these dangerous cells, the van Rheenen group has developed microscopy techniques to visualize individual cells in real-time in whole bodies. By these techniques, we revealed multiple important factors within the single cell heterogeneity that are crucial in the processes of tissue homeostasis, tumor initiation and tumor progression.

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative candidate to join us in this unique project. We would like you to bring:

• a PhD degree (or equivalent);
• a background in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or organoid biology;
• analytical and problem solving skills;
• proficiency in written and spoken English.

If you feel that this role is the perfect match, but you do not yet meet all the qualifications, we also welcome you to apply.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

• The appointment will be in a temporary employment contract for the period of in principle 2 years. 
• The salary is between € 3.695 and € 4.391 in accordance with the standard Postdoc scales. The other terms of employment are in accordance with the CAO Hospitals on the basis of a full-time appointment. You will also receive a vacation allowance of 8.33%, a year-end bonus of 8.33% and a travel allowance.
• As an AVL employee, you can park with us free of charge. Of course we encourage our employees to leave their car at home, so we offer an interesting bicycle program and/or discount on public transport.