We are offering a PhD position at the Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM) at the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Chemistry department of the Leiden University. Our group has a long standing interest in pancreatic cancer and has an unique translational infrastructure structure allowing the PhD student access to an unique set of experimental models and archived patient-derived material that will allow cutting-edge experimental work.

Despite significant improvement in the treatment of cancer in general, hardly any progress has been made in pancreatic cancer and the overall 5-year survival rate is less than 7%. This dismal prognosis is largely due to the fact that chemotherapeutic drugs are ineffective in pancreatic cancer and improving the efficacy of these drugs is thus of utmost importance. Importantly, the clinical efficacy of systemic chemotherapy is limited due to toxicity-dependent dose-limitations and the current project aims to assess whether targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer cells, without affecting healthy non-tumor cells, will increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. The project involves the generation and characterization of drug loaded nanoparticles, the in vitro analysis of nanoparticle-dependent pancreatic cancer cell death and the in vivo pre-clinical applicability of MSN-induced cancer cell killing in state of the art models for pancreatic cancer. Ultimately, we this project will contribute to improved treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients and an increased quality of life.

For this position, the candidate should hold a Master’s degree in biology, medical biology, or a related field. We are seeking a team player with a can-do mentality, ambition, a keen research interest, and a proficiency in written and spoken English. The candidate preferably has experience with cell biology, experimental animal models and an interest in biochemistry.

Working at the AMC means working in an inspiring and professional environment in which developing one’s talents and skills is encouraged.

As a PhD student, you have access to the broad program of doctorate level courses offered by the AMC Graduate School, which aims to promote and support excellence in the doctorate level training of PhD candidates as highly qualified future professionals in an international environment.

We offer a salary in line with the Collective Labor Agreement for University Medical Centers in the Netherlands (CAO UMC) with a range of added fringe benefits, such as an annual bonus of 8.3%, holiday allowance, collective discounted rates for a number of insurances, an attractive bicycle scheme and/or public transport allowance, and free parking. You will be employed by the AMC Medical Research BV.

The fulltime (36 hours/week) gross monthly salary ranges from €2.279,- in the first year to €2.919,- in the fourth year. On top of your salary you safe money monthly for a ‘Personal Budget’ that can be used for education or career development purposes.

AMC Medical Research

The AMC is more than just a hospital. It is a world in which patient care, research and education are integrated, and in which people are always central. It is an academic world full of possibilities for talented individuals that are looking for a place where they can excel. Thinking big, daring to dream, cooperating internationally. And never letting yourself be put off by ‘It’s not possible’ or ’It won’t work anyway’. That is the AMC mentality.

http://www.amc.nl/

The Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM) is part of the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam (AMC). The AMC has a very strong track record in gastrointestinal research and offers a unique environment for ambitious PhD candidates to perform research in. CEMM is a vibrant laboratory that hosts approximately 30 PhD students and post-docs with diverse backgrounds (biomedical, physics, bioinformatics). Research focuses, amongst others, on cancers of the digestive tract and has yielded numerous papers in high impact journals (Nature Medicine, Gastroenterology, Cell Stem Cell, and various Nature Reviews journals). PhD candidates at the AMC are embedded in the Oncology Graduate School Amsterdam (OOA) and are offered a custom training- and guidance plan that aids in education, research, writing, and personal development.