The project is a collaboration between the IMM group at the NIN and profs. Tanja Kuhlmann and Louisa Klotz at the Depts of Neuropathology and Neurology of the University of Münster. The teams together recently identified in a MS tissue collection of the Netherlands Brain Bank (n = 186) two extreme ends of the disease spectrum, i.e. with either a very rapidly (n = 29) or slowly progressive disease course (n = 33). Neuropathological analysis shows a distinct phenotype of lesions in the rapid disease group characterized by significantly broader MS lesions rims as compared to those in the small rim group. The aim of the project is to analyze the cellular and molecular characteristics of both the broad and small rim lesions in both groups using high resolution spatial transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry using light and STED microscopy. The project is financed by a grant of the National MS Society (USA) and a MOVES grant.

The team

The project will be executed in the IMM group at the NIN in close collaboration with the Dept of Neuropathology of the University of Münster (profs. Kuhlmann and Klotz) and the Depts of Neurology and Immunology in ErasmusMC (dr. Smolders).

Desired skills:

• Experience with human brain tissue research including RNA seq analyses and high resolution microscopy
• Experience or affinity with computational analyses

We are looking for team players with specific interest in CNS with excellent communication skills and ability to work and troubleshoot independently and collaboratively.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

Salary

The gross monthly salary based on full-time employment varies between € 2541,- in the first year and € 3247,- gross per month (salary scale P) in the last year, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU), excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. We offer travel expenses, paid parental leave, flexible working hours, 30 days paid leave per year and help by finding a house.

Appointment

The position is for a maximum period of 4 years in total. The first appointment is for one year with the option for an extension for the remaining period pending on an evaluation.

Starting date: immediately

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country's leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language.

Neuroimmunology

The Neuroimmunology Research (IMM) group, led by Prof Inge Huitinga, studies the molecular and cellular factors underlying the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) with a focus on the role of microglia, T- and B-cells and de- and re-myelination.