PhD or Postdoc position in Multicellular Modelling of the Impact of Extracellular Matrix on Tumour Cell Migration (1.0 FTE)

Join the Tsingos group to model the impact of extracellular matrix on tumour cell migration.

Cell migration is a fundamental process in developmental biology. It is also critical in early cancer metastasis: in carcinomas, cells that leave the primary tumour must migrate through dense extracellular matrix. Even in genetically identical cells, the decision to migrate and the mode of migration can be very heterogeneous. Some cells do not migrate at all, while others migrate individually, collectively as a loose uncoordinated flock of cells, or in tightly coordinated cell clusters. You will investigate how biophysical cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions lead to the emergence of different migratory phenotypes using computer simulations.

You will work with a recently-developed simulation tool combining a cellular Potts model of cells with a coarse-grained model of collagen fibers to simulate a tumour spheroid embedded in a collagen matrix. You will have access to time-lapse confocal microscopy data from experimental collaborators to calibrate the model and estimate parameters. Ultimately, you will address questions such as:

• Does extracellular matrix architecture explain the variability in cell migration?
• Are certain parameter regimes associated to certain migration modes?
• Can we predict matrix manipulations that stop cell migration, thus preventing metastasis?

You will become part of the highly interactive Computational Biology community at Utrecht University, and will be involved in regular meetings with experimental collaborators.

Note that this vacancy can be filled either with a PhD position or a Postdoctoral researcher position. Based on the responses and interviews with candidates, we will decide how to complete our team.

We are looking for a colleague with a curious and collaborative mindset who meets the following qualifications: 

• For the PhD position you have a MSc degree in Computational Biology, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field. If you apply for the Postdoc position a PhD in one of these fields is required;
• Experience with or an interest in learning about mechanistic models of dynamical biological systems (e.g. differential equation-based modelling, agent-based modelling, cellular Potts modelling);
• Experience with programming;
• Experience with or an interest in analysis of imaging data from confocal microscopy;
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

We offer:

• embedding in a great team of top Computational Biologists and Life Sciences Researchers;
• support to develop your own research idea subsequent to the advertised project, for example by applying to other funding schemes;
• a full-time PhD position for 4 years, or a postdoctoral position for 2 years (with an initial appointment of one year, extended upon positive evaluation);
• for the PhD position a full-time gross salary that starts at €2,770 and increases to €3,539 per month (scale P).
• for the postdoc position a full-time gross starting salary that - depending on previous qualifications and experience – ranges between €3,720 and €4,036 per month in scale 10.3-10.5 of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO);
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the CAO.

In addition to the employment conditions laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO), Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects. Find out more about us on YouTube. For more information, please visit working at the Faculty of Science.

The Theoretical Biology & Bioinformatics division is part of the Department of Biology. Research in this division makes use of a wide range of different data analysis and modelling strategies to decipher the mechanisms underlying biological processes. Research subjects range from plant development and adaption, to the functioning of the immune system, and the evolution of complexity.