MSCA-Doctoral Network ‘MERIT’ invites applications for 15 PhD positions

AUMC; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Amsterdam UMC is hosting the MERIT MSCA training programme, a PhD project focused on metabolic reprogramming in viral pathogenesis. Coordinated by senior researchers, the project links seven academic institutions and twelve partners across Europe to explore host metabolism and virus interactions.

The position requires excellent English communication (CEFR C1/C2) and does not require prior residence in the host country beyond stated eligibility.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (CEFR C1/C2).
• Eligibility: candidate has not resided or carried out work or studies in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before 1 April 2027.

Responsibilities

• Study mitochondrial dysfunction in enterovirus CNS disease.
• Support research on immunometabolic reprogramming and host metabolism.
• Utilize human organoids, integrative and spatial omics, and advanced microscopy.
• Collaborate with multiple European institutions and partners under MERIT.
• Prepare and present findings in English to supervisory and project teams.

Skills

English proficiency (C1/C2)

Job description

Organisation/Company Amsterdam UMC & others Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Biological sciences » Biology Biological sciences » Other Neurosciences » Neurobiology Medical sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Amsterdam) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

MERIT (MEtabolic Reprogramming in viral pathogenesis: from Infection to Therapeutic innovations) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at better understanding how viruses affect the human body. Coordinated by Dr. Adithya Sridhar, Assistant Professor, and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt, Professor of Pediatric Infectious diseases, from the OrganoVIR Labs at Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), this project brings together 7 academic institutions and 12 associated partners from across Europe.

Within MERIT, researchers will take a new, holistic approach that focuses on infections and host metabolism to unravel virus-induced metabolic reprogramming and its impact on human health. The project’s objective lies in understanding the complex interplay between viruses and host cells, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, and long-term consequences of infection. This will be achieved by combining three methodological pillars: human organoids, integrative and spatial omics, and advanced microscopy.

• Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in enterovirus CNS disease
• Tailoring and implementing strategies for safe virus research in EU laboratories
• Understanding the consequences of common cold coronavirus infection in the lung on the CNS
• Understanding long-term alterations in the CNS following common cold coronavirus infections
• Multi-modal microscopy and tomography of viral infections in organoids
• Molecular fingerprinting in organoids using Raman and autofluorescence micro-spectroscopy
• Mechanisms of HIV-induced neurodegeneration
• Elucidating the role of host lipoprotein receptors in alphavirus infections
• Alphavirus interplay with host lipid homeostasis in CNS organoids
• Genotype-specific metabolic footprint in human EV infections along the gut-brain axis
• Role of lipid metabolism in virus-induced neurodenegeration
• Immunometabolic engineering for next-generation alphavirus therapeutics
• SARS-CoV-2 persistent and PLpro-mediated reprogramming in the context of long COVID
• Immunometabolism and metabolic engineering for a functional HIV cure
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)

Specific Requirements

• Candidate has not resided/carried out work or studies in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 April 2027.