Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) is a promising new treatment modality for cancer patients. However, not all patients respond to this therapy. Understanding the mechanisms of ICT resistance is therefore crucial to improve clinical outcome and to maximize the number of patients that profit from this therapy. Tumor-associated glycan structures have recently emerged as important regulators of anti-tumor immunity. In this project funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) you will identify and validate which tumor glycosylation patterns promote ICT resistance.

Your research will focus on colorectal cancer. Tumor glycan structures will be determined in high detail and spatially using state-of-the-art glycomics and glycan mass spectrometry imaging to elucidate which glycan profiles predict resistance to ICT. Additionally, you will study mechanistically the response to ICT of glycosylation variants of colorectal tumors and whether after ICT therapy, resistant tumors have changed their glycan profiles compared to untreated tumors.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student with:

• A master degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent;
• Experience with flow cytometry and/or mass spectrometry;
• Willingness to work with animal models (Art. 9 possession and previous experience is an advantage);
• Willingness/openness to collaborate within a team of national researchers;
• A flexible, pro-active team spirit and also able to work independently;
• Excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research;
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare;
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world;
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV;
• A contract for 12 months (extension possible, for a maxiumum of four years);
• Salary OIO: € 3.017 to € 3.824 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here;
• Holiday hours: 186,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours;
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension;
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way;
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Amsterdam UMC

The Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology is located in the vibrant O|2 Lab Building at the VU/Amsterdam UMC campus and houses excellent cytometry and imaging core facilities. The research performed at the department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology covers a wide variety of topics in the field of cell biology and immunology in health and disease and is at an international high competitive level. The research group led by Dr. Sandra van Vliet (Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc ) focuses on the role of tumor-associated glycan structures and their role in tumor biology as well as anti-tumor immunity.

In this project you will work closely together with researchers from the Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics (CPM) at the Leiden University Medical Center. The CPM is the core technological innovator and service provider of the medical center in the analysis of proteins, metabolites, lipids, and glycans from biological materials like cells and tissues. Mass spectrometry is the main technology used at CPM. The CPM Tissue Glycomics Group, led by Dr. Noortje de Haan, is an international team focusing on the development of advanced technology for glycan analysis with mass spectrometry to enable the investigation of these biomolecules in cancer development and inflammatory diseases.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.