PhD Cross-omics analyses in neurodegenerative diseases

The PhD project is part of the MODEM project. This is a Dutch multi-center study that will perform studies on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD) in order to find novel treatments. Previous studies on AD and FTD pathophysiology had the disadventage that data were analysed in isolation in different models (i.e., cell cultures, mouse models, and patients), with different modalities (genomics, proteomics, and lipidomics) and in different matrices (brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma).

In MODEM, omics analyses will be performed in several disease models and in clinical patients in different matrices and with different omics techniques. The role of the PhD student is to bridge this clinical with fundamental research. You will organise, align and integrate large scale in-depth omics datasets from partners in the consortium.

About your role
As a PhD candidate you will have the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with partners in the MODEM consortium;
• Organise and align cross-species and multi-modal omics data;
• Develop and perform bioinformatic analyses;
• Write scientific articles, which will form the PhD thesis;
• Active participation to consortium and other scientific meetings, where you will also present your results.

We are looking for a person with the following skills:

• MSc in bioinformatics, systems biology and related fields, or in medicine;
• Demonstrable experience with analysis of large complex data sets;
• Experience with statistical software R;
• Knowledge and understanding of ontological databases such as KEGG, and GO;
• Understanding of bioinformatical tools (e.g., IPA);
• Organisational, communicative and cooperative skills, as you will collaborate with scientists from multiple scientific disciplines.

• Salary Scale OIO : 2.789 to 3.536 euro gross when employed full-time (step depending on qualifications and experience).
• A one-year contract with the prospect of extension for the duration of the project.
• Besides a good basic salary, you will also receive an 8.3% year-end bonus and 8% holiday allowance.
• Free and unlimited access to our online learning environment GoodHabitz.
• Pension accrual with ABP, of which pay 70% of the premium.
• Reimbursemen tof 75% of your public transport costs. Would you rather travel by bike? Then we have a good bicycle scheme.
• An active personnel association and the Young Amsterdam UMC association, which organise fun (sports) activities and events.

Salary increase of 4% effective November 2023

The Alzheimer Center Amsterdam is committed to serve patient care and advance scientific knowledge on different types of dementia. We aim for worldwide excellence in patient care and scientific research. With now over 100 colleagues we are part of the department of Neurology of the Amsterdam UMC. See for more information: Alzheimercentrum.