This collaborative project is embedded in the Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity and is funded by the ADORE Foundation. ADORE, which stands for AmsterDam Oncology and Neuroscience REsearch, is a collaborative effort between the Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Neuroscience, comprising a total of over 2,000 researchers. It represents a bold and innovative approach to medical scientific research. Under this concept, our foremost cancer researchers and neuroscientists will collaborate to unravel the most pressing issues related to cancer and brain diseases, such as dementia and MS.

Immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS) have opposing effects on disease outcome. The altered brain microenvironment and consequent attraction of (auto)reactive immune cells into the CNS are key detrimental events in neurological disorders, such as dementia and multiple sclerosis (MS), and contribute to disease pathology. In contrast, in brain tumors, the CNS micro-environment actively limits the infiltration of tumor reactive immune cells, while stimulating accumulation of immune suppressive immune cells. These opposite effects may drive on local alterations in the CNS microenvironment that alter during disease onset and progression.

However, to date we lack fundamental understanding of underlying pathways that control immune cell infiltration (T cells and myeloid cells) in these opposite (suppressive/ permissive) situations in the brain. The overall aim of this ADORE Crossing Barriers consortium is therefore to define how the brain microenvironment controls immune cell infiltration into the CNS during health and in MS and dementia vs. glioblastoma (GBM) and brain metastatic lung tumours and melanoma.

In this specific post-doc project, we will conduct fundamental research

1. Into which mechanisms underlie immune cell migration across the brain barriers in context of mentioned diseases.
2. To decipher the role of the altered brain microenvironment in this process.

As a postdoc, you will develop immune competent brain organoids based on iPSC technology that mimic disease setting and connect them to the brain barriers using various human in vitro platforms. Identified pathways critical for the altered CNS immune responses will be modulated in appropriate humanized models using either CRISPR/CAS9 or lentiviral technology or via pharmacological manipulation and the subsequent effect on immune cell activation and trafficking will be determined.

You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with affinity for (neuro)immunology, neuroscience and cell biology. Your attitude is flexible and pro-active with team spirit, but you also work well independently. You have a ‘can-do’ mentality, with patience and perseverance. In addition to that you have:

• A completed PhD in a field related to neuroinflammation and/or iPSC organoid cultures or organ on a chip models.
• A master’s degree in a field related to biomedical sciences, neuroscience, neuro-oncology, immunology, tissue engineering.
• Experience with in vitro models using iPSC technology and gene editing (i.e. Crispr/Cas). This is a must.
• Excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal.
• Hepatitis B vaccination is mandatory and will be provided by Amsterdam UMC (if applicable).

• 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.
• The intended start date for the project is February 1st 2025.
• The position is for 4 years. We first offer a fixed term contract for 1 year, which under normal circumstances will be prolonged with 3 years.
• Salary scale 10: € 3.493 to € 5.504 gross per month 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

This joint project will be performed at Amsterdam UMC, primarily in the Neuro-immunology research group (prof.dr. Elga de Vries) together with prof.dr. Yvette van Kooyk; Immunology Amsterdam – Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology (MCBI) (location VUmc; O|2 Building). You will work in a team with young and enthusiastic researchers (around 30), who have expertise in iPSC models, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, (clinical) neuroscience and neurological 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.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Elga de Vries, via he.devries@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Rhiannon Sandfort, Recruitment advisor, via r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.