PhD Position: Computational Multi-Omics Characterisation for Corneal Regeneration (MSCA STEM-CORE)

Are you passionate about working with stem cells or stem cell-based biomaterials? And eager to explore cutting-edge technologies like genome editing and in vivo imaging? Or are you perhaps fascinated by eye research and do you have an affinity for molecular, cellular and medical science? If so, come and join our STEM-CORE project and become one of the 14 doctoral candidates recruited from 9 European countries.

STEM-CORE, supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, aims to explore strategies to develop stem cell therapies and biomaterials, laying the groundwork for future cures to restore eyesight. As one of the doctoral candidates in STEM-CORE, you will receive comprehensive training to become a leading expert in regenerative medicine of the eye through interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international research. Additionally, you will develop valuable transferable and soft skills such as management, leadership and communication, positioning you for enhanced career opportunities and empowering you to make a meaningful impact on society. For details of STEM-CORE, please visit our website.

In the laboratory of Jo Huiqing Zhou, the coordinator of STEM-CORE, you will characterise stem cells and stem cell-derived tissue models for corneal regeneration through state-of-the-art (single-cell) multi-omics analysis. You will collaborate with other doctoral candidates in STEM-CORE through joint projects, secondments and network training activities. Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time. You will also have opportunities to develop your teaching skills.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate.

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• There may be an opportunity for Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

You will join Dr Jo Huiqing Zhou’s research team at the Department of Molecular Developmental Biology of the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Faculty of Science, Radboud University (Nijmegen, The Netherlands). We offer a first-class international research environment in the regulation of gene expression and epigenetics where state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic technologies and bioinformatics are used. We run Next Generation Sequencers, single-cell platforms and mass spectrometers, and accommodate a bioinformatics team and a local computational infrastructure.

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Jo Huiqing Zhou. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on 2 February (online). Any second interview will take place on 23 February (preferably in person). You will preferably start your employment on 1 April 2026.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.