We are looking for a scientific research technician who will be providing technical support to our research team. You will be working closely with 2 PhD candidates and with Master's students. You will be embedded in Salvatori’s group (Regenerative Medicine Utrecht and Veterinary Faculty) and you will work closely with the group led by Prof Leendert Looijenga, Princess Máxima Centrum.

Your job
Our group focuses on malignant of stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells can be maintained in culture indefinitely (self-renewal) and differentiate into virtually all cell types of the human body (pluripotency). Challenges in stem cell therapies include the detection and removal of incompletely differentiated cells, addressing the genomic and epigenetic alterations in the generated cells and overcoming the tumorigenicity of these cells that could arise on transplantation. Moreover, long-term culture of PSCs can lead to (epi)genetic drift, potentially activating processes that resemble malignant transformation as an adaptive mechanism to the culture conditions.

Indeed, the malignant potential of human pluripotent stem cells is not fully understood, and its evaluation currently relies solely on the assessment of the cells’ behaviour in vivo upon their engraftment into mouse models (teratoma assay). Our group is currently working on in vitro models able to answer the malignancy question. Stem cells are also key to normal development and health from conception through adulthood. Stem cells survive much longer than ordinary cells, increasing the chance that they might accumulate genetic mutations. It might take only a few mutations for one cell to lose control over its self-renewal and growth and become the source of cancer.

Our work has the aim to develop in vitro, animal-free models for detecting malignancy of stem cells and other relevant human and veterinary tumors.

Your daily work consists of supporting the team in hands-on practices such as cell and tissue culture, biochemistry, molecular biology, and histology.

Used techniques will include:

• cell culture of stem cells, including 3D cultures and 3D culture assays, organoids;
• microRNA analysis;
• single cell analysis including bioinformatic tools;
• generation of induced pluripotent stem cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system;
• histology, advanced microscopy, FACS.

This position is perfect for you, if you:

• have BSc degree in Applied Sciences (HLO; hoger laboratorium onderwijs) or a MSc in the field of Life Sciences (e.g., biomedical sciences, regenerative medicine, biology of disease);
• have at least two to three years working experience as research technician working specifically with human or animal stem cells;
• have experience with cell and tissue culture, biochemical assays (e.g., ELISAs, qPCR), and histological techniques (immunohistochemistry)
• have good communication skills in a team environment;
• like to support and facilitate in a hands-on way in various projects and like to supervise students in basic lab activities;
• have experience with confocal microscopy and/or flow cytometry (preferred);
• are curious and eager to learn new techniques;
• like working in an international team.

We will support your professional and personal growth and together with you will work together to make your talents flourish.

We offer:

• an employment contract for one year;
• a working week of max 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,693 and €4,103 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 7-8 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

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 Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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.

For more information about this position, please contact Daniela Salvatori (Professor Comparative Anatomy & Physiology and chairperson Transition to Animal-free Innovation Utrecht) at d.salvatori@uu.nl.