Research Technician Molecular and Stem Cell Biology

Would you like to see cells go through the first stages of embryonic development? Do you enjoy testing and setting up new protocols in the lab? Would you like to apply your molecular biology and cell culture skills using state-of-the-art in vitro models for early embryonic development? Then this may be the job for you!

Supported by a recent NWO-ENW-XL consortium grant, we are looking for a technician to become part of two of our research teams, the van Amerongen lab at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Science (SILS), and the Lenstra lab at Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), both based in Amsterdam. The ultimate goal of this project is to understand how individual pluripotent cells in the early embryo decide their future fate, using live-cell and single-molecule imaging approaches. Your contribution will be instrumental to get this exciting project off to a running start.

What are you going to do?

You will provide experimental support with setting up 3D gastruloid cultures from mouse embryonic stem cells in which we can visualize the activity of different developmental signalling pathways (WNT, NODAL, BMP) or the stochastic expression of individual pluripotency and lineage differentiation genes.

Tasks and responsibilities:
•    perform routine mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell culture;
•    set up and perform 3D gastruloid culture;
•    DNA cloning of reporter constructs and mouse embryonic stem cell targeting;
•    setup FACS sorting and imaging protocols for 2D and/or 3D imaging;
•    maintaining a lab notebook in which all your work is well documented.

What do you have to offer?

You like a challenge and are passionate about science. You are interested in combining molecular and cell biology approaches and keen to learn new skills. You are flexible and willing to work in two different labs in Amsterdam. You are willing to support starting PhD students with their research.

Your experience 
You:
•    have a HBO or MSc diploma - or equivalent - in a relevant area of biomedical or biological research;
•    have affinity with and experience in mammalian tissue culture, preferably with ES cell culture;
•    have affinity with and experience in molecular cloning;
•    have affinity with imaging;
•    are able to communicate in a clear and professional manner in English (and ideally also in Dutch).

Hands on experience with mouse embryonic stem cell culture and/or targeting, or with 3D gastruloid cultures would clearly work to your advantage. Experience with FACS sorting, Gateway cloning, microscopy or single-molecule RNA FISH is also considered an advantage.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 30.4 hours per week (0.8 FTE) for a period of 24 months, with a probationary period of 2 months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible after 15 January 2023. This project is funded by a recently awarded NWO-XL grant to a national research consortium with partners in Nijmegen (Radboud University), Utrecht (Hubrecht Institute) and Amsterdam (University of Amsterdam and Netherlands Cancer Institute). While your appointment will be at the University of Amsterdam, this position is shared between the lab of dr. Renée van Amerongen/dr. Thijs van Boxtel at the University of Amsterdam and the lab of dr. Tineke Lenstra at the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,471 to € 3,336 (scale 7). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Education / Research officer 4 is applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherland s is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
•    232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
•    multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
•    multiple courses on different topics and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
•    a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
•    the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
•    help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad. 

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here .

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. 

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences is one of eight institutes in the Faculty of Science. SILS is a multidisciplinary research institute with a systems biology approach to the life sciences. The institute brings together approximately 240 researchers in 18 research groups. The Developmental, Stem Cell and Cancer Biology group studies how complex tissues in multicellular organisms are built and maintained in 3D and how this process is guided by developmental signaling pathways such as WNT and BMP. 

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

           T: +31 20-525 6225

           T: +31 20-512 7889

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 04 December 2022.
Due to Dutch legislation, the UvA is for non-scientific positions obliged to recruit within the EU. If you are not a EU-citizen (including Norway and Switzerland) please do not apply for this vacancy.

Applications should include the following information (all files should be submitted in one single pdf file):

•    a letter of motivation;
•    a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
•    the names and contact information of two references (no letters of recommendation are required at this stage)

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will preferably be held in the first half of December 2022. 

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department  directly. They will gladly help you continue your application. 

No agencies please.