PhD cell therapy for hereditary eye diseases: An eye on the future

Your main task is the development, characterization, and application of patient-based preclinical models. In doing so, you will work closely with researchers from Human Genetics and clinicians from the Emma Children's Hospital and the Ophthalmology department of Amsterdam UMC. Together, you will translate clinical questions into experiments and discuss what the results mean for disease understanding and therapy development.

You will:

• cultivating patient-derived stem cells and developing and optimizing differentiation protocols for retinal cell and tissue models;
• characterizing new in vitro models at molecular, cellular, and functional levels and investigating to what extent they reflect characteristics of the disorder;
• contributing to the development and characterization of patient-based in vivo models and establishing relevant outcome measures for disease progression and treatment;
• applying the models to investigate cell therapy, including combining stem cell-derived cells with biomaterials and performing and evaluating preclinical transplantations;
• linking experimental findings with genetic and clinical patient data, together with researchers and practitioners;
• presenting your results within Lifelong VISION, Emma CPM, and at scientific meetings, and incorporating them into publications and a dissertation.

What do you bring?

• a completed master's degree in biomedical sciences, biology, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, biomedical engineering, or a similar field;
• practical experience with experimental laboratory research and cell culture; experience with stem cells, differentiation, or complex tissue models is a plus;
• interest in the development and characterization of disease models and in the relationship between genetic variation, cellular function, and clinical characteristics;
• interest in cell therapy and biomaterials and willingness to work with in vivo models and undergo the necessary training; relevant experience and an Article 9 authorization are a plus;
• a critical, accurate, and persistent research attitude: you take initiative, analyze carefully, and think along with solutions;
• good communication skills in English and enjoyment in collaborating with researchers and clinicians from different disciplines. Proficiency in the Dutch language is a plus.

BIG-registered physicians in the Netherlands are not eligible for this position.

What do we offer you?

• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV. The intended start date is no later than March 1, 2027.
• A contract for a duration of 12 months, with the intention to extend to a total of four years. The PhD Candidate Directive applies to this vacancy.
• Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3,217 to € 4,077 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). Additionally, you will receive an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here.
• Vacation hours: 194.4 hours per year for a full-time employment and the possibility to save up hours.
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Do you come by walking, cycling, or by car? Then you will receive a reimbursement of €0.21 per km (for the car, a maximum of 40 km one way applies).
• Do you come by bike? Make use of our good bicycle scheme.
• Pension accrual at BeFrank, a modern, understandable, and fairly priced pension.

Watch this video for more information about employment at Amsterdam UMC Research BV.