We aim to define contributions of genetics, gut microbiome and environmental factors, including diet, to risk for development of (age-related) liver and cardiometabolic diseases. We focus on identification of liver/gut-derived metabolites involved in disease development by interference with nutrient sensing, cellular senescence and inflammageing, the latter defined as a non-resolving, low-grade, chronic inflammation process that progresses with age and is harmful to health. The group has a long tradition in deciphering the (patho)physiological roles of bile acids, acting both as biological detergents and as signalling molecules, in health and disease
The proposed project aims to determine the contributions of specific bile acids and their metabolites in the maintenance of intestinal barrier function, known to deteriorate during ageing and, as a consequence, to contribute to inflammageing. Major focus will be on characterizing mechanisms that determine development of a “leaky gut” during natural and accelerated ageing. The project will use (partly humanized) mouse models as well as cellular systems and advanced analytical/bioinformatics approaches.

The postdoc will be part of a young and enthusiastic research group and should have the following requirements:
- A PhD in Molecular/Cellular/Medical Biology or Biochemistry
- At least one first authorship
- Experience in molecular and cell biological techniques (e.g. qPCR, FACS, Western blots, histology)
- Experience working with mouse models
- Developed skills in R programming and large datasets analysis is a plus.
- Be enthusiastic, ambitious, and organized.
- Good collaborative, communication and networking skills

The conditions of employment meet the Collective Labor Agreement of Medical Centers (CAO-UMC). The employment basis is a temporary contract for one year with a possible extension with two additional years. The starting salary is dependent on experience and is scaled in 10 (max gross salary € 5.292 based on a full-time position). In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

It concerns a full time appointment (36 h/week). After one year, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to extend for a second period of two years. Additional extensions will be discussed in due time.

More information
For more information see https://www.eriba.umcg.nl

Department fort he Biology of Ageing (ERIBA)

The European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA) is a research institute within the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). ERIBA aims to discover molecular mechanisms of ageing that can be used as targets to prevent or delay age-related diseases. Our research teams are working with different model systems and technology platforms and share their knowledge and expertise to accelerate discoveries. Furthermore, we heavily invest in Systems Biology to integrate our findings in the various mechanisms of ageing that have been proposed. ERIBA is housed in a brand new building and part of the central UMCG campus in central Groningen, a vibrant student town (with over 25,000 students) in the northern Netherlands. PhD students are enrolled in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen.