PhD position – Translational in vivo neuroscience

InnoSer Belgie NV; Leiden; On-site; EUR 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

MSCA funding

International training

Secondments

Job summary

InnoSer Leiden in the Netherlands hosts a PhD position within the POLARIS network, focusing on translational in vivo neuroscience using leukodystrophy models with rare genetic diseases of the nervous system.

The project includes characterisation of mouse models, development of an automated EEG analysis pipeline, and evaluation of candidate therapies, with secondments and international collaboration across partner sites.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences, preferably neuroscience.
• Experience with in vivo mouse studies and phenotyping.
• Certification for working with laboratory animals (FELASA) preferred.
• Fluency in English; ability to work in an international team.

Responsibilities

• Characterise leukodystrophy mouse models and preclinical interventions.
• Develop automated EEG analysis pipeline for MLC mice.
• Align mouse endpoints with POLARIS clinical readouts.
• Collaborate across InnoSer, Amsterdam UMC and POLARIS partners.
• Engage in secondments and transferable-skills development.

Skills

In vivo mouse studies

Behavioral phenotyping

FELASA certification

R/Python scripting

English fluency

Education

Master's degree in life sciences

Tools

EEG analysis

Statistical software

Job description

Doctoral Candidate (PhD position) in translational in vivo neuroscience

The training network

POLARIS is a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on accelerating therapy development for leukodystrophies: rare genetic disorders affecting the brain white matter. The network aims to strengthen the full translational pathway from disease mechanism and model development 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.

InnoSer Leiden, The Netherlands

InnoSer is a European preclinical contract research organization (CRO) supporting biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners with tailored in vitro and in vivo research services. We work as an extension of our clients’ teams from study design to execution and data analysis to drive development decisions. With facilities in Belgium and the Netherlands, our services and disease models span multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology/neuroscience, oncology, nephrology, cardiometabolic disease and rare diseases. This position is based at our facility in the Netherlands (Leiden), where we focus on rare genetic diseases affecting the nervous system as well as neurodegenerative diseases, using in vivo mouse models.

ALC, Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands

The Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center (ALC) at Amsterdam UMC is an internationally recognised expertise centre for leukodystrophies, combining specialist clinical care, diagnostics, patient-oriented research and translational neuroscience. Research at the ALC focuses on understanding disease mechanisms in rare white matter disorders and translating these insights into improved models, biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Rogier Min’s team studies astrocyte and white matter biology in leukodystrophies, with a particular focus on ion, water and volume regulation. The team combines insights from patient genetics with mouse models, cell culture, electrophysiology and advanced imaging. Within this project, the ALC will provide academic embedding, disease-specific expertise and supervision on the translational relevance of the preclinical models.

PhD project description

This doctoral project will focus on the characterisation of leukodystrophy mouse models and the preclinical evaluation of promising proof-of-concept interventions. The project is strongly rooted in in vivo neuroscience and requires a candidate with clear affinity for animal research, behavioural and neurological phenotyping, and the responsible use of mouse models in translational research.

The candidate will perform longitudinal natural-history studies in leukodystrophy mouse models, in particular for megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC). These studies will use behavioural, neurological and disease-relevant readouts to define robust phenotypes and assess disease progression. A key part of the project will be the development of an automated EEG analysis pipeline for MLC mice, with the aim of identifying reliable EEG biomarkers that can support future preclinical therapy studies.

The mouse phenotypes generated in this project will be aligned with clinically relevant endpoints defined within the POLARIS consortium, strengthening the translational value of the models. The candidate will also test selected candidate therapies emerging from other POLARIS work packages in leukodystrophy models to assess proof-of-concept efficacy.

Planned secondments will provide hands‑on experience with lipid nanoparticle delivery, as well as opportunities to engage with patients and families to better understand the diseases and the priorities of affected communities. The candidate will work at the interface of CRO-based preclinical research, academic leukodystrophy expertise and patient‑oriented therapy development.

The position is primarily based at InnoSer in Leiden, with regular academic interaction with the Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center in Amsterdam, including approximately one day per week at Amsterdam UMC. The academic embedding will be at the Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, with the anticipated PhD defence at the Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Eligibility criteria

1. You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
2. At the time of the application deadline, youmusthavea Master’sdegree andmustnothave resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) inthe Netherlandsfor more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
3. You will participate in the network‑wide trainingprogrammeofPOLARIS,which includes (international)training activities and planned secondments with POLARIS partner organizationsthroughout the EU.

Requirements and candidate profile

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a Master’s degree in life sciences, preferably neuroscience. You have relevant experience in in vivo mouse studies gained during internships or research projects. Experience with behavioural or neurological phenotyping, animal welfare principles and robust experimental design is considered an advantage. Formal certification for working with laboratory animals, such as FELASA or an equivalent qualification, is preferred.

You have a strong interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research. You are motivated to work with mouse models to understand disease mechanisms and to evaluate candidate therapies. You are able to think critically about how preclinical readouts can be aligned with clinically meaningful endpoints.

Because the project includes EEG analysis and the development of an automated analysis pipeline, experience with scripting and data analysis, for example in R or Python, is an advantage. Candidates with a strong motivation to further develop these skills are also encouraged to apply.

You work accurately and reproducibly, have strong attention to detail and are able to plan and organise complex experimental work. You have an analytical mindset, good communication skills and the ability to collaborate across different research environments. You will interact with colleagues at InnoSer, Amsterdam UMC and other POLARIS partner organisations, and should be comfortable working in an interdisciplinary and international setting.

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

Terms of employment

• Acontract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 3 years;
• Salary, mobility allowance and benefits according to the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules;
• 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 of in vivo neuroscience, rare disease biology and preclinical therapy development;
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment;
• An open and supportive team culture with opportunities for scientific and professional development.
• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants require a valid residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands.

Applications will be accepted until the 5th of October 2026.