The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is looking for a PhD candidate in Extracellular Vesicle Research. The team of Dr Nolte-‘t Hoen is situated at the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. This department has 166 FTE employees including 50 PhD students, and includes the three divisions Pathology, Infection & Immunity as well as Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer. The EV research team is embedded in the multidisciplinary and international Infection Biology group of the Division of Infectious diseases & Immunology.

The team has a longstanding record in exploring the biology of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their role in host-pathogen interactions. You will participate in a project funded by a VICI grant of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) that aims to elucidate the role of EVs in picornavirus infections. 
Picornaviruses, which cause a range of diseases in both humans and animals, exploit EV-communication and have drastic effects on the number and molecular composition of EVs released by infected cells.

As PhD candidate in our team, you will elucidate mechanisms by which picornavirus-induced EVs affect immune cell function and antiviral immune responses. You will work in an enthusiastic team of researchers with expertise in cell biology, virology, and immunology and you will be using cutting-edge tools for studying the molecular composition and function of EVs.

• You have a MSc degree in biology or biomedical sciences and practical experience in the cell biological, immunological and/or virological research field.
• You are highly motivated and inquisitive, with a strong interest in host-pathogen interactions.
• You have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• You are an independent worker, enthusiastic to collaborate with other team members.

You will be offered a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary ranges between €2,541 in the first year and €3,247 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, professional development, (partly paid) parental leave, sports and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

Sharing science, shaping tomorrow. A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. You can watch the Utrecht University Campus Tour to get an impression of our university.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. Furthermore the faculty delivers expert clinical care at the University Animal Hospital. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students. It is is located at the Utrecht Science Park, near the historical city centre of Utrecht.