PhD candidate 'OAinject Program' | Experimental Rheumatology Radboudumc

For the OAinject Program we are looking for two PhD candidates; one at Experimental Rheumatology (Nijmegen) and one at The Department of Orthopedic Surgery (Maastricht). Are you the PhD candidate with experience, or at least a strong interest, in studying the biomolecular pathobiology of the OA joint? We are looking forward to meet you!

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous and invalidating disease of the joint characterized by joint damage and pain, impacting most daily activities. In the Netherlands alone, 1.2 million patients suffer daily from the consequences of this disease. The OAinject program aims to develop diagnostic tools for early assessment of OA, in combination with easy-to-use intra-articular injection therapies. Successful completion of the OAinject program will contribute to keeping patients mobile, reducing the burden of co-morbidities caused by an inactive lifestyle, reducing societal costs and increasing patient independency. OAinject will develop diagnostic tools for patient stratification to select the right treatment for the right OA patient and design a sustainable personalised treatment regimen.

Inflammation plays a significant role in pain and disease progression in OA. In the part of the OAinject program where you will be involved, we will develop technological and biomolecular tools to classify inflammatory OA patients from the population.

This research is a collaboration between Experimental Rheumatology (Prof. dr. van der Kraan, Radboudumc) and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery (Prof. dr. Welting, Molecular Cartilage Biology, Maastricht University). Two vacancies for PhD students are available; one in the van de Kraan group (Nijmegen) and one in the Welting group (Maastricht). Both PhD students are expected to collaborate synergistically on this project.

You are a PhD candidate with a background in, or a keen interest in, investigating the biomolecular pathobiology of the osteoarthritis (OA) joint. The successful PhD candidate will demonstrate social competence and the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Exceptional communication and writing skills are essential for this role. Motivation is key, as the selected candidates should be willing to occasionally work specific periods in collaborative labs.

Moreover you have:

• Finished a master in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences or a related master.
• Cell biological and molecular biology skills, experience with cell culture, molecular cloning and/or bioluminescence techniques are an advantage.

Startingdate is 1 March 2024.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary in scale 10A between € 2.901 and € 3.677 (for a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. You can also share knowledge with colleagues through digital learning spaces – perfect for getting inspired and inspiring others.
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example, we have our own sports facilities and a Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. And if you are going through a life-changing event, our Company Support Team and a personal coach are there to help you.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. This includes advice and training courses (from ‘Millennial Dilemmas’ to ‘Your Career After 57’), activities at our own mindfulness center, and informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• 168 holiday hours per year (23 days) based on a 36-hour working week.
• The option of taking national holidays at other times of the year.
• 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid.
• A good collective pension scheme with a 70% reimbursement of your pension premium.
• Discounts on health insurance and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your travel expenses or a working-from-home allowance of €2 per day.

The Rheumatology department examines and treats patients with rheumatic diseases who have movement complaints. We also provide education and conduct research into rheumatic diseases. Our department is a known center of expertise. Part of the department of Rheumatology is the Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare.

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.