Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with a life-threatening disease, such as metastatic cancer, and of their loved ones. Improving the approach, treatment and prevention of symptoms requires a greater understanding of mechanisms that lead to symptoms. It is largely unknown which biomedical factors determine susceptibility to symptoms, such as delirium, for example. Knowledge of these factors can improve treatment and prevention of symptoms. Marking the start of the final phase of the palliative trajectory, the dying phase, can help improve care for patients and their loved ones. This demarcation leads to a change in the focus of care, thereby creating space and time for saying goodbye. Because this demarcation has proven difficult in practice, more knowledge about the dying process can improve marking and is part of this translational research project.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will contribute to the further development of the research line focused on biomedical factors that influence sensitivity to symptom development and may serve as markers of the dying process. To achieve this, a liquid biopsy bank has been established in collaboration with the Liquid Biopsy Center of Cancer Center Amsterdam and the PREZO quality mark hospices within the Consortium Palliative Care in Noord-Holland and Flevoland. Additionally, partnerships have been initiated with key research departments at Amsterdam UMC, including the OncoProteomics Laboratory and the Cancer Pharmacology Laboratory of Cancer Center Amsterdam and the Neurology Laboratory Clinical Chemistry. International collaborations have also been forged with laboratories in Liverpool and Edinburgh. Together with these collaborations, you are expected to secure funding to support translational research projects in palliative care.

In concrete terms, this means that you:

• Maintain contacts with the hospices and coordinate collection of blood and urine samples;
• Establish and maintain contacts with relevant research departments within and outside Amsterdam UMC and Cancer Center Amsterdam;
• Set up at least two translational research projects and initiate and coordinate fundraising for this;
• Report findings arising from literature research and own research in scientific articles and present these at various meetings and conferences;
• Supervise students;
• Take courses to increase your (research / analysis / personal) skills.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher with proven scientific experience in translational research. You are motivated to advance scientific research in the field of palliative care, both theoretically and empirically. You have excellent social and communication skills and you work well in a team.

You are also in possession of the following qualities and requirements:

• A completed PhD in the field of (bio)medical sciences, medical biology or a comparable education;
• Experience with translational research;
• Able to work efficiently and independently;
• Good skills in organizing, planning, coordinating;
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English;
• Affinity with palliative care;
• -Experience in acquiring grants is recommended.

• 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, subject to funding);
• Salary scale 11: € 4.678 to € 6.402 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

As a postdoc you will be part of a multidisciplinary team that conducts research into the improvement of palliative care for patients with cancer, led by Prof. Lia van Zuylen. For translational research this group works closely with researchers from Amsterdam UMC / Cancer Center Amsterdam, among others. These unique collaborations enable translational research in the broadest sense of the word and deliver high-quality research that bridges the gap between different disciplines that otherwise often remain separate from each other.

Working at Amsterdam UMC means working in an inspiring and professional environment where the development of talents and skills is strongly encouraged. We therefore offer you many opportunities for personal development, additional courses and a place to grow.

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 prof. dr. Lia van Zuylen, via 06- 257 164 76 or c.vanzuylen@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Kim Hooijmans, Recruitment advisor, via k.i.m.hooijmans@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.