PhD-student for theranostics development in childhood brain cancer

Nuclear theranostics have had a great flight for the diagnosis and treatment of adult cancers in the last two decades. In contrast, for childhood cancer, this development is lacking behind whereas also this patient population can potentially benefit from this. With our increasing knowledge on the tumor biology of childhood cancers opportunities arise for the development of nuclear theranostics for this patient group. To achieve this, the theranostics research group of the UMC Utrecht and the various research groups and clinical disciplines of the Princess Maxima Center are collaborating.

As PhD-candidate of theranostics research group of the UMC Utrecht and Princess Máxima Center you will conduct radiopharmaceutical research towards the development of nuclear theranostics to improve diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer. This project is on the development, characterization and selection of radiopharmaceuticals for neuro-oncology. The radiolabeled compounds, both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclides, will be evaluated by in vitro and in vivo studies to assess the target binding and mode-of-action of the molecules.

The project is focused on preclinical development of theranostics with a clear clinical focus to advance the future of nuclear diagnosis and therapy in childhood cancer. Your supervisors will be Dr. Alex Poot (Head of the Theranostics Research Group of the UMCU) and Dr. Berend vd Wildt (Radiopharmaceutical Scientist of the UMCU). Based on your scientific results you will present your data at scientific conferences, publish in scientific journals and write and defend a PhD-thesis based on the publications. As PhD candidate you will be embedded and follow courses at one of the Graduate Schools of the Utrecht University.

• You have a master degree in (bio)chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, oncology or an affiliated study with an extensive training in preclinical and translational research.
• A license to work with radioactive nuclides or perform animal research is beneficial.
• As this research is multidisciplinary and will be both in the UMC Utrecht and the Princess Maxima Center, you are a team player with good communication skills.
• You are pro-active, willing to pioneer within this novel research field and able to come with creative solutions to complex problems.

If you are passionate about biomedical research and eager to join a dynamic and collaborative team, please submit your CV, cover letter through our online application system. We look forward to hearing from you.

The maximum salary for this position (36 - 36 hours) is € 3.677,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

Within the UMC Utrecht, the theranostics research group is embedded in the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department within the Cancer Center and Imaging Division. Within the field of nuclear medicine, the UMC Utrecht is a leading institute for developing novel theranostics, nuclear imaging, and image-guided therapies. Our team of radiopharmaceutical scientists and nuclear medicine physicians is responsible for innovative and personalized patient care. In addition, the PhD candidate will collaborate with other specialists within our department, i.e., clinical physicists, PhD candidates, nuclear workers, and research technicians. Within our department, people are focused on each other and the group, and we collaborate to make a difference. Several times a year there are social, educational and scientific events organized especially for you and fellow PhD students. Also, you will be encouraged to attend international conferences with your colleagues.