Metastases to the peritoneum are observed in up to 15% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and in up to 30% of patients with gastric cancer (GC). Treatment options are very limited, and prognosis is therefore poor. Among the biggest breakthroughs in oncology in recent years has been the development of immunotherapy.

In the current project, funded by a NWO VIDI grant, we aim understand why peritoneal metastases are resistant to currently available therapies, and we aim to find new immunomodulatory treatment targets for peritoneal metastasized disease.

• Collecting patient-derived samples, mostly per-operatively at the Amsterdam UMC. You will be working in a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists and scientists.
• You will be doing experiments in the laboratory, including spatial profiling techniques (imaging mass cytometry, digital spatial profiling/CosMx), flowcytometry, and single cell technologies including scRNA-sequencing. You will also perform studies in vivo in preclinical mouse models for peritoneal metatasized cancer. Experience with animal handling is a plus.
• In addition, you will do the data analysis and data interpretation (bioinformatic experience or experience with R is a plus).

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled PhD student who preferentially has been trained in (cancer)immunology/medicine and is interested in working with big-data.

• You have good analytical thinking skills and perseverance.
• You can work independently as well as in a team, you are stress resistant, proactive and flexible.
• You have good planning and communication skills.
• You are interested in computational biology bioinformatics, experience with analysis of big data is a plus!

• A jump start to your career in research work.
• All te space for you to contribute shaping the care of tomorrow.
• Working on large-scale and research project, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• We offer a contract for a year (12 months) with the intention to be extended.
• Salary scale OIO : € 2.901 tot € 3.677 gross, based on 36 hours/week. The monthly wage will increase yearly to the maximum wage in the fourth year.
• In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance.
• Pension is accrued at Be Frank.
• In addition to excellent accessibility by public transport, AMR also has a sufficient number of parking spaces for employees.
• An active personnel association and the Young Amsterdam UMC association, both of which organise fun (sports) activities and events.

Amsterdam UMC

You will be working both in the Amsterdam UMC and in the Tytgat Institute.

The Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, houses the university hospital and the medical faculty of the University of Amsterdam, as well as several research institutes, including the Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research.

The Tytgat Institute within the AMC houses the fundamental and translational research in the field of hepatology and gastroenterology. Research in the Tytgat Institute is fundamental but usually built on a clinical question, aiming to provide results that can be translated into clinical practice. Extensive collaboration between physicians and researchers ensures a close link between the clinic and basic research. Similarly, multiple long-lasting public private partnerships have evolved demonstrating that our research is easily exploited.

Research lines include metabolic and cholestatic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, microbiome, and early life nutrition. The institute has a strong involvement in the curriculum of Biomedical Sciences, and Medical School teaching programs.

https://www.amc.nl/web/research/tytgat-institute-for-liver-and-intestinal-research.htm