PhD position Photopharmacology (1.0 FTE)

This position is part of the HTRIC × Ubbo Emmius Foundation (UEF) program, which supports interdisciplinary research in four key areas of health technology: molecular diagnostics, medical imaging, precision medicine, and smart medical materials. Health Technology Research and Innovation Cluster (HTRIC) is a collaboration between the University of Groningen, UMCG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, NHL Stenden, and the Life Cooperative. HTRIC brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry to develop innovative medical technologies that make healthcare more effective and accessible.

What are you going to do?

Photopharmacology is a field of research that creates light-activated drugs to achieve unprecedented spatiotemporal precision in treatments. It is often studied in cells and 2D cell cultures, which miss opportunities to evaluate compounds in models that represent tumor heterogeneity and the role of the immune system. This subproject will focus on using cancer and normal tissue organoids and light-controlled drugs in combination with live cell optical fluorescence imaging and MS imaging, to focus on the following fundamental questions:

• What level of spatial resolution for light-activated drugs (reversibly and irreversibly) can we obtain in a model more representative of a living organism, different from a simple 2D culture?
• Can we use light to switch the drugs off in certain areas selectively?
• In organoid models, when one compares classical cytotoxic drugs (active everywhere) to their locally activated counterparts, is there a downstream difference in (stem cell) survival and cell-specific activation of the immune response?

This project is a part of an Ubbo Emius-funded HTRIC consortium aimed at training the next generation of scientists in biomedical applications, bringing together specialists from chemistry, imaging, cancer biology, and physics to lay the foundation for imaging-guided pharmacotherapy.

The role of the PhD working in this position will be to design, synthesize, and evaluate new photopharmacological agents, study their photochemical behavior, and support their evaluation in the developed organoid models, with further support from MS imaging. Within this team, the PhD candidate will be supported, among others, by a team of two PIs (Szymanski / Coppes) with expertise in chemistry, photochemistry, cancer stem cell biology, and organoids, and a team of colleagues with additional expertise in quantum calculations and photopharmacology. The broader HTRICxUEF consortium provides additional expertise in the use of high-energy radiation, nanomedical drug release, and medical imaging.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented PhD candidate with:

• A MSc degree in (Synthetic) Organic Chemistry or Pharmacy or an equivalent certification.
• Strong experimental background in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Research experience in the field of photochemistry and/or photopharmacology will be seen as a strong asset.
• Interest in and willingness to expand the expertise towards biomedical 3D-organoid models.
• Capacity to think analytically and creatively.
• High motivation in pursuing academic research.
• Ability to work in an international team and collaborate with several research centers in Europe in a streamlined and professional way.
• An integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communicative and social skills.
• Fluent proficiency in English – written and oral.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see University of Groningen’s English Language Requirements for details.

What can you expect from us?

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse. 

Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, a 4-years PhD position is available at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Photopharmacology and Imaging at the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy. The Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP) is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) of the University of Groningen and collaborates closely with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). The pharmaceutical and medical research within GRIP and the UMCG is very multidisciplinary.