PhD: Mechanisms of HIV-induced neurodegeneration (MCSA)

Amsterdam UMC; Amsterdam; Sur place; EUR 36 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Public transport reimbursement

Bike scheme

Secondments abroad

Biosecurity training

MBA prep program

Conferences & PD plan

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Résumé du poste

Amsterdam UMC in Amsterdam is launching a PhD position under the MERIT MSCA network to study HIV-induced neurodegeneration using iPSC-derived brain organoids. You will explore lipidomic changes and TDP-43 proteinopathy within organoids, contributing to Work Packages 1 and 2 under senior supervision.

The role requires a motivated candidate with strong biology background, English proficiency, and willingness to mobility constraints.

Qualifications

• MSc or MD in (bio)medical sciences, biology, cell biology, biotechnology or closely related field
• Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology and immunology
• Experience in virology, (3D) cell culture, or tissue engineering
• Excellent English communication (CEFR C1/C2)
• Transnational mobility rule: have not resided/carried out work in the NL for more than 12 months in the past 36 months
• Experience with experimental lab techniques; analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work in multidisciplinary team

Responsabilités

• Characterise lipidomic profiles of HIV-infected brain organoids vs healthy controls
• Assess and alter TDP-43 proteinopathy in HIV-infected organoids
• Contribute to Work Packages 1 and 2 under supervision
• Collaborate with OrganoVIR Labs teams at Amsterdam UMC

Connaissances

Virology

3D cell culture

Tissue engineering

Molecular & cellular biology

Immunology

Analytical thinking

Independent & collaborative work

English proficiency

Formation

MSc or MD in biomedical sciences / biology

Near completion of MSc or MD

Outils

Organoid culture

Cell culture techniques

Microscopy

Description du poste

Do you want to better understand how viruses affect the human body? Then apply for a PhD position to study mechanisms of HIV-induced neurodegeneration as part of the MERIT MCSA doctoral network.

About the project

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.

About the role

Despite effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), individuals living with HIV experience neurocognitive impairments, collectively known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The neuropathological changes observed in HAND are also found in neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. A common link between HAND and NDDs is disrupted lipid metabolism, with HAND patients exhibiting increased amyloid-beta deposition. Clinical data suggest that TDP-43 proteinopathy may contribute to HAND, further linking it to NDDs. This project aims to explore these connections using iPSC-derived microglia-embedded brain organoids. By characterising lipid profile changes following HIV infections and investigating TDP-43 proteinopathy, we seek to identify potential mechanisms underlying HAND.

At the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, MERIT is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1 and 2. As DC7, your objectives are:

• to characterise lipidomic profiles of HIV-infected brain organoids compared to healthy organoids;
• to assess and alter TDP-43 proteinopathy in HIV-infected organoids.

You will be guided during your research project by Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt and Dr. Renata Vieira de Sá at the OrganoVIR Labs at the Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands. You can apply for this position until 30 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Profile

• a motivated PhD candidate with an academic qualification (MSc or MD, or close to completion) in one of these disciplines: in (bio)medical sciences, biology, cell biology, biotechnology, or a closely related field and has a solid foundation in molecular and cellular biology as well as immunology
• expertise in one or more of the following fields: virology, (3D) cell culture, tissue engineering.
• experience with experimental laboratory techniques relevant to the field, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)
• have not resided/carried out work or studies in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 April 2027 (transnational mobility rule).

Our offer

• A contract with Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years (probation of 6 months).
• The opportunity to work on large-scale and in-house research with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• Planned secondments in International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) & Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).
• Training in safety and biosecurity aligned with international best practices. You will be trained in hazard identification, containment, incident reporting, and dual-use/gain-of-function issues.
• An opportunity to take part in a tailor-made pre-MBA programme to develop entrepreneurial and commercial skills and other network-wide training opportunities including conferences and courses, a Personal Development Plan, non-academic coaching, and workshops on topics including ethics and sustainability and AI/LLM.
• Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3,217 to € 4,077 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here.
• 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each. Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme.

About the workplace

Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, houses the university hospital and the medical faculty of the University of Amsterdam, as well as several research institutes.

The OrganoVIR Labs is uniquely embedded within both the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention (MMI) and the Department of Pediatrics and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Immunity and Infection Institute (AIII), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D), and Emma Centre for Personalized Medicine (Emma CPM). This multidisciplinary positioning fosters close collaboration between fundamental, translational, and clinical research.

OrganoVIR Labs has access to various advanced facilities including level 3, state-of-the-art molecular biology and culture facilities and access to high-throughput sequencing. Through its integration with the Department of Pediatrics, OrganoVIR Labs also benefits from extensive clinical expertise in the care of children with a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions. The department’s multidisciplinary approach and extensive clinical expertise support the translation of research findings into improved outcomes for pediatric patients.

Let's meet

Please apply via the MERIT website: Doctoral Candidate 7 Vacancy - MERIT