The Netherlands Cancer Institute presents a stimulating scientific environment that is built around a powerful comprehensive cancer centre with prestigious research laboratories and a dedicated cancer hospital. The research group of Rik Lindeboom is a newly established laboratory that uses quantitative biology to understand the interaction between tumor cells and the immune system. We use (single cell) genomics and proteomics approaches combined with advanced data analysis workflows to characterize cancer and immune cells in tumors. An important underlying linchpin in our lab is the use of absolute quantification of abundances and interaction strengths, which make them suitable for predictive and quantitative modeling of the interaction between immune cells and diseased cancer cells.

Project:
The transformation from healthy to cancer cell is well known to be accompanied by widespread changes in gene expression. However, it is poorly understood at which point these changes in expression can lead to the presentation of cancer antigens, and subsequent recognition by T cells. You will use proteomics, immunopeptidomics, and mass spectrometry-based single-cell proteomics, to delineate the proteome changes in cancer and to generate quantitative models to link antigen presentation to protein abundances and degradation rates. In addition, we will study the recognition of cancer cells by applying novel sorting strategies to isolate cancer specific T cells from blood, to profile their identity and T cell receptor sequence using single cell transcriptomics approaches. As a PhD student in a newly established group, you have the unique benefit that you will work closely together with your supervisor, receiving a lot of hands-on supervision.

We seek an ambitious, enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD student with affinity for molecular biology and a strong problem solving ability. Proven wet-lab experience is a requirement.

Fixed-term contract: at least four years, with a possibility for extension.

You will be employed for a period of at least four years, with a possibility for extension. For a PhD student the gross salary per month is € 3,043,- to a maximum of € 3,695,- according to the standard PhD scales. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the CAO Hospitals (Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals) based on full time employment (36 hours).  Which include a 8,33% holiday allowance and 8,33% end-of-year payment. You will receive a travel allowance of €0.19 per km.

As an employee of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek you can park for free. Of course we encourage our employees to leave the car at home, which is why we offer an interesting bicycle arrangement and/or discount on an NS business card. As an employer, we contribute 50% to your pension with Pensioenfonds Zorg & Welzijn and we offer a group discount for the health insurers IZZ and Zilveren Kruis and disability insurance.