PhD: Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in enterovirus CNS disease (MCSA-DC)

Amsterdam UMC; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End-of-year bonus

Secondments to UiO

Bike scheme

Public transport reimbursement

Job summary

Amsterdam UMC invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate position within the MERIT MSCA training programme to study mitochondrial dysfunction in enterovirus CNS disease using brain and neuromuscular organoids.

The project aims to reveal how EV-A71 alters mitochondria, ROS and metabolism, and to link these changes to neuronal and neuromuscular function, with guidance from Dr. Adithya Sridhar and Prof. Dasja Pajkrt.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences, infection, immunity or related fields.
• experience working with mammalian cell culture, qPCR, and bioinformatics are preferred
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)
• an interest in working in a multidisciplinary research group
• 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).

Responsibilities

• to identify changes to the mitochondria (localisation, number, size) using super-resolution microscopy;
• to evaluate ROS production and its consequences on respiration and bioenergetics;
• to sketch the transcriptomic changes with a focus on mitochondria-specific genes and pathways;
• to link viral infection-induced mitochondrial changes to functional effects using electrophysiology.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

qPCR

Bioinformatics

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in biomedical sciences

Job description

Do you want to better understand how viruses affect the human body? Then apply for a PhD position to study the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in enterovirus CNS disease 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

The antiviral functions of the mitochondrial antiviral signalling protein in viral RNA detection and interferon response come at the cost of metabolic reprogramming and dysfunction. Mitochondrial changes during enterovirus infections include redistribution of mitochondria, disruption of calcium homeostasis, and generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, the specific effects of Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection in a relevant tissue model remain largely unexplored. This doctoral project aims to bridge this gap by investigating the impact of EV-A71 infection on mitochondrial function in brain and neuromuscular organoids, providing crucial insights into the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis and paralysis, and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

At the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, MERIT is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1 and 3. As DC1, your objectives are:

• to identify changes to the mitochondria (localisation, number, size) using super-resolution microscopy;
• to evaluate ROS production and its consequences on respiration and bioenergetics;
• to sketch the transcriptomic changes with a focus on mitochondria-specific genes and pathways;
• to link viral infection-induced mitochondrial changes to functional effects using electrophysiology.

You will be guided during your research project by Dr. Adithya Sridhar and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt. You can apply for this position until 30 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Profile

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences, infection, immunity or related fields;
• experience working with mammalian cell culture, qPCR, and bioinformatics are preferred;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level);
• an interest in working in a multidisciplinary research group;
• 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 to University of Oslo (UiO) & VectorY Therapeutics
• 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

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.