Aging is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, which include Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). There is no cure for these diseases. The accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins during ageing is thought to contribute to the pathology of these diseases but the biological mechanisms that drive their toxicity remain to be fully identified. Knowing the causes of such age-related protein toxicity will be important for the design of prevention and treatment strategies. Starting from genetic screens in the nematode (worm) C. elegans, our team has identified several evolutionary conserved regulators and mechanisms driving age-related protein toxicity. The PhD to be recruited will become part of a team that aims to resolve biological mechanisms of these and newly discovered modifying factors, which include metabolic and microbiome-derived factors. We focus on mechanisms with counterparts in human and actively collaborate with clinicians and industry to accelerate possible applications of our findings for human health.

We are looking for an ambitious, curious, and motivated PhD student with the following qualifications:
- A university degree in bio-molecular sciences, medical biology or and relevant related area
- An inquisitive mind
- Communicative
- A team player
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Experience with experimental research.
- Experience with molecular genetics or molecular biology is a plus
- Expertise in bioinformatics, biostatistics, and programming is a plus

The UMCG offers a salary of € 3.017 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 3.824 gross per month (PRO scale) in the fourth year. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC). It concerns a full-time appointment (36 hours a week) for a period of four years to be concluded with a PhD examination. After one year, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to expect a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the last three years of the project.

More information
For more information about this vacancy please contact:
Prof. Ellen Nollen, Team leader, ERIBA
Information about the University of Groningen
Information about Groningen

ERIBA

The European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA) is a research institute at the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG). ERIBA aims to discover molecular mechanisms of ageing that can be used as targets to prevent or delay age-related diseases. Our research teams are working with different model systems and technology platforms and share their knowledge and expertise to accelerate discoveries. ERIBA is part of the central UMCG campus, located in the vibrant student town of Groningen in the northern Netherlands. PhD students are enrolled in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen.

Prof. Ellen Nollen
e.a.a.nollen@umcg.nl