MSCA-DN PhD position in gene therapy for leukodystrophies (Amsterdam, NL)

Amsterdam UMC; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 39,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living allowance

Mobility allowance

Family allowance

Pension ABP

Transport reimbursement

Bicycle scheme

GoodHabitz access

Staff association and events

Job summary

Amsterdam UMC, in an international, interdisciplinary setting, invites applications for a doctoral candidate to contribute to preclinical development of gene therapy for leukodystrophies. You will work on AAV efficacy in mouse models, apply genome-editing, and analyse results to align preclinical readouts with clinical outcomes.

You will collaborate across POLARIS partner organisations, benefit from doctoral training, and develop transferable skills within a vibrant research environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences or related discipline.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken.
• Formal FELASA or equivalent animal-work qualification preferred.
• Interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research.

Responsibilities

• Test efficacy and safety of AAV gene therapy in mouse models.
• Apply genome-editing approaches to assess therapeutic efficacy.
• Use molecular techniques and in vivo mouse models to study disease mechanisms.
• Analyze results and align preclinical readouts with clinical outcomes.
• Collaborate with Amsterdam UMC and POLARIS partners; participate in trainings.

Skills

Molecular techniques

Viral vectors

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree

Life sciences

Molecular sciences

Tools

FELASA certification

Job description

About your role

As a doctoral candidate, you will contribute to the preclinical development of gene therapy approaches for leukodystrophies. Your work includes:

• testing the efficacy and safety of AAV gene therapy in VWM and MLD mouse models;




• applying genome-editing approaches, including bridgeRNA-guided recombinases, to investigate therapeutic efficacy;




• using molecular techniques and in vivo mouse models to investigate disease mechanisms and treatment responses;




• analysing and interpreting experimental results and considering how preclinical readouts can be aligned with clinically meaningful outcomes;




• collaborating with colleagues at Amsterdam UMC and POLARIS partner organisations and participating in network-wide training activities and planned secondments.

You will be part of an international and interdisciplinary research environment. Throughout the PhD project, you will have opportunities to further develop your scientific and transferable skills through the POLARIS doctoral training programme.

About you

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a Master's degree in life sciences, molecular sciences or a related discipline. A background in molecular sciences is particularly relevant to this project.

You have relevant research experience and an interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research. Experience gained during internships or research projects is relevant. We are looking for:

• experience with molecular techniques;




• experience with viral vectors and/or in vivo mouse studies is an advantage;




• an interest in responsible use of animal models, animal welfare principles and robust experimental design; experience with behavioural or neurological phenotyping is an advantage;




• an analytical and accurate approach, with the ability to plan, organise and interpret experimental work;




• good communication and collaboration skills and an interest in working in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.

Formal certification for working with laboratory animals, such as FELASA or an equivalent qualification, is preferred.

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential.

Eligibility criteria

Important, strict eligibility criteria according to MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE programs apply to applicants:

• You must not already hold a doctoral degree.




• At the time of the application deadline, you must have a Master's degree and must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.




• You must be able and willing to work in an international training network, participate in network-wide training activities and undertake planned secondments with POLARIS partner organisations.

Our offer

• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 3 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.




• Salary scale OIO: € 3.217 to € 4.077 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.Calculate your net salary here.




• You will receive a living allowance of €4,010 per month, adjusted with a country-specific correction factor and subject to local employer contributions and tax regulations. In addition, candidates will receive a monthly mobility allowance of €710. If applicable, a family allowance of €660 per month is provided for fellows with a spouse and/or dependent children. Successful applicants are also eligible for parental leave in accordance with Dutch legislation.




• Vacation hours: 190.4 per year based on full-time employment and possibility to save additional hours.




• Free and unlimited access to our online learning environment GoodHabitz.




• Pension accrual with the ABP, of which we pay 70% of the premium.




• Reimbursement of your public transport expenses. Do you prefer biking to work? Then we have a good bicycle scheme.




• An active staff association and Jong Amsterdam UMC association, both of which organize fun (sports) activities and events.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants require a valid residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands.