MSCA-DN PhD position in Molecular Pharmacology (Amsterdam, NL)

SIGRA; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a PhD position within the POLARIS doctoral network focused on GPCR pharmacology as a target for rare brain disease therapies. The project spans drug discovery, in vitro and in vivo neuroscience, with secondments across Europe and network-wide training.

This international, interdisciplinary program provides a three-year full-time contract, open to candidates meeting MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE eligibility, and promises strong collaboration and translational research

Qualifications

• Master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, molecular neuroscience, biomedical sciences, medicinal chemistry or related life sciences.
• Experience in molecular pharmacology and/or receptor biochemistry with cell-based assays.
• Interest in GPCR biology and cell-based assays using high-throughput readers and robotics.
• Accurate, reproducible research with strong analytical and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop GPCR assay pipelines with bioluminescent and fluorescent biosensors.
• Investigate receptor activation and signaling mechanisms.
• Develop and apply high-throughput screening assays to identify modulators.
• Use FDA-approved drug library repurposing and fragment-based drug discovery to identify modulators.
• Collaborate with POLARIS partners to evaluate lead molecules.

Skills

Molecular pharmacology

GPCR biology

Cell-based assays

High-throughput screening

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in life sciences

Tools

Fluorescence microscopy

High-throughput screening

Job description

Would you like to investigate a novel drug target for a rare genetic brain disease? Join an interdisciplinary research team and use molecular pharmacology and drug discovery to explore new treatment options for MLC.

POLARIS doctoral network

POLARIS is a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on accelerating therapy development for leukodystrophies: rare genetic disorders affecting the brain's white matter. The network aims to strengthen the full translational pathway, from understanding disease mechanisms and developing disease models to preclinical therapy testing, clinical readiness and patient-informed treatment priorities.

To achieve this, POLARIS brings together expertise in leukodystrophy biology, advanced disease models, therapeutic innovation, biomarker development, clinical translation, patient engagement, and ethical, regulatory and health-economic aspects of therapy development. The network will train a cohort of doctoral candidates in an international and interdisciplinary environment, combining academic research, industry-based preclinical development, secondments, network-wide training and transferable-skills development.

PhD project

The project is based within the Medicinal Chemistry research group at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. You will investigate the molecular pharmacology of an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) as a potential drug target for megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC), a rare genetic brain disease that affects mechanisms regulating brain volume.

MLC currently has no available drug treatment. The orphan GPCR was recently identified as a potential drug target in a subgroup of people with MLC by researchers in Pediatric Neurology at Amsterdam UMC. GPCRs are cell-surface proteins that respond to external stimuli and are widely investigated as drug targets.

The aim of the project is to understand how the orphan receptor is activated and signals, develop high-throughput screening assays and identify drug‑like modulators. You will use FDA-approved drug library repurposing and fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) to search for potential modulators.

As part of the POLARIS doctoral network, you will develop a functional GPCR assay pipeline to support the identification of modulators and understand their mode of action. Promising pharmacological modulators can ultimately be tested in cellular and in vivo models of disease.

Planned secondments will provide hands-on experience in in vitro assay validation and in vivo characterisation of lead molecules.

You will use molecular receptor pharmacology techniques to investigate the orphan GPCR and its potential as a therapeutic target. Your work will include:

• Developing cell-based bioluminescent and fluorescent biosensor assays to detect GPCR signalling events in different cellular models.
• Investigating receptor activation and signalling mechanisms.
• Developing and applying high-throughput screening assays to identify potential drug‑like modulators.
• Using FDA-approved drug library repurposing and fragment-based drug discovery to identify and characterise promising compounds.
• Contributing to the development of a functional GPCR assay pipeline and the evaluation of lead molecules in collaboration with POLARIS partners.

We are looking for a candidate with a Master's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, molecular neuroscience, biomedical sciences, medicinal chemistry or a comparable life sciences discipline. You bring:

• Relevant experience in molecular pharmacology and/or receptor biochemistry, including cell culture or cell‑based signal‑transduction assays using fluorescent or bioluminescent biosensors.
• A strong interest in GPCR biology and/or the development of cell‑based assays using high‑throughput microplate readers and robotics.
• Experience with drug discovery is an advantage.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques and fluorescence microscopy is an advantage.
• An accurate and reproducible approach to research, with strong analytical, communication and organisational skills and the ability to collaborate across different research environments.

Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.

Eligibility criteria

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

1. You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
2. 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.
3. You will participate in the network-wide training programme of POLARIS, which includes (international) training activities and planned secondments with POLARIS partner organizations throughout the EU.

• A full‑time, 3‑year employment contract with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam;
• Salary, mobility allowance and benefits according to the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host‑organisation rules. More detailed information about the salary will follow; ;
• Embedding in the international POLARIS doctoral training network;
• Access to network‑wide training activities, secondments and transferable‑skills development;
• A challenging and translational research project at the interface drug discovery, in vitro and in vivo neuroscience, rare disease biology;
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment;
• An open and supportive team culture with opportunities for scientific and professional development.

You will work within the Medicinal Chemistry research group at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The group is internationally recognised for its research in GPCR medicinal chemistry and investigates GPCR proteins and ligands, including small molecules and nanobodies.

The research group focuses on areas including GPCR photopharmacology, oncogenic signalling pathways and orphan receptors, as well as chemokine and histamine receptors. Computational design and synthesis of GPCR ligands are important approaches within the group. The team has extensive experience in both the biochemical and drug discovery aspects of GPCR research and has collaborated with leading pharmaceutical companies.

You will also be part of the international POLARIS doctoral network. You will work with researchers from different scientific disciplines and collaborate with academic and industry partners across Europe. Through secondments, network-wide training and transferable‑skills development, you will build experience beyond your own research project and develop an international research network.

POLARIS is committed to open, transparent and merit‑based recruitment. We value diversity and welcome candidates with different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

The application deadline is 5 October 2026. We aim to select the final candidate in October/November 2026.

Applicants may, where appropriate and in line with the recruitment procedure, also be considered for other POLARIS doctoral candidate positions that better match their profile and interests. You can highlight up to two additional POLARIS projects of interest in your application letter. This does not replace your application to the primary position, but helps the consortium identify potential alternative matches where relevant.

Would you like to know more about this PhD position? For substantive information about the vacancy, please contact Prof Rob Leurs, via [e-mail].

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.