Postdoc 'Organoid-Based Therapy Development for Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI)'

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI) is a rare renal disorder without a cure. In this project, we aim to establish a human organoid-based drug screening platform to identify personalized therapies that restore water transport in NDI patients. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play an important role in developing and applying human (patient-derived) tubuloid NDI models. Are you our new colleague? This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact on therapy development for a rare disease!

Our group recently established tubuloids as models that are capable of vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R)-dependent water transport. To follow-up on these promising results, these models will be used to identify novel therapeutic targets and test a library of pharmacological chaperones for their ability to restore receptor trafficking, V2R-stimulated cAMP signaling, and water transport. Your work will include advanced molecular and cell culture techniques, multi-omics appraoches (including single cell RNAseq and proteomics) and live-cell imaging, enabled by state-of-the-art facilities available at Radboudumc.

In this project, you will:

• Generate and maintain isogenic iPSC lines with AVPR2 and AQP2 mutations.
• Integrate and utilize CFP-Epac-YFP constructs to monitor dynamic cAMP signaling in real-time.
• Generate NDI disease model iPSCs-derived tubuloids.
• Perform water transport assays and microscopty to assess water transport and signaling.
• Screen molecular chaperones for their capacity to rescue the NDI phenotype using high-throughput microscopy.
• Analyze imaging and functional data and contribute to method optimization.
• Potentially also test drug candidates on patient derived tubuloids

You have a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Physiology, or a related discipline. You have hands-on experience with stem cell culture, organoid models, or kidney physiology is a strong plus.

Furthermore:

• Familiarity with fluorescent microscopy, or high-content screening is favourable.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written).
• Enthusiasm for translational research with a clear patient benefit.

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 between € 3.598 and € 5.669 (scale 10) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

This project is embedded in the Molecular Physiology group at the Department of Medical Biosciences and supervised by Prof. Joost Hoenderop. The department provides an international and stimulating working environment. The Molecular Physiology group consists of around 20 researchers including PhD candidates, postdocs and technical staff. The wider department consists of over 100 researchers working across various fields including physiology, molecular biology and imaging. Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of kidney function and tubulopathies, using advanced in vitro models to identify therapeutic targets. The lab offers a collaborative and cutting-edge research environment and is well integrated into national and international research consortia.

Our labs are housed in the modern Radboudumc Research Tower, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, shared open workspaces, and specialized labs for e.g. imaging and cell culture. The team enjoys a friendly, supportive atmosphere with regular science meetings, coffee- and lunch breaks. And occational treats to celebrate birthdays or scientific successes are not out of the ordinary! We offer an ideal setting to develop your skills, grow your network, and contribute to meaningful research.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health.

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.