PhD Candidate for Genome Regulation of Embryonic Development

Employment

0.8 - 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary

€ 2,541 - € 3,247

Required background

Research University Degree

Organizational unit

Faculty of Science

Application deadline

08 January 2023

Apply now
Are you fascinated by embryonic development? And do you believe in the power of single cell -omics technologies to unravel the guiding principles of embryogenesis? Then this may be the job for you! Supported by a recent NWO-ENW-XL consortium grant, we are looking for a PhD candidate to help further our understanding of how individual pluripotent cells in the early embryo decide their future fate.
The early mammalian embryo, or epiblast, is composed of pluripotent cells that can generate all specialized cell types of the body. The epiblast cell population is heterogeneous, showing stochastic differences in transcriptome and epigenome between cells that affect their differentiation potential. In this project, you will address how a system composed of intrinsically stochastic epiblast cells can show robust and deterministic fate decisions, utilizing in vitro developing mouse gastruloids. You will apply wet-lab, state-of-the-art epigenetic and biochemical techniques, genome-perturbation strategies including CRISPR/Cas9, and a range of sequencing-based approaches, including single-cell omics. Supported by our in-house computational biology unit, you will analyse the omics datasets using modern, computational approaches.
At the Molecular Biology department, you will be part of the Stem Cell group focusing on the unique regulatory mechanisms acting in ESCs to maintain their pluripotent state and prepare for gastrulation. More information on our research can be found in our recent publications in Nature Cell Biology (2022; PMID: 35697783), Cell Stem Cell (2019; PMID: 30472157), and Trends in Cell Biology (2019; PMID: 31178244). The project is embedded within an ambitious and interactive research environment, both in the department and the NWO-ENW-XL consortium. There are ample opportunities for collaboration within and outside the Netherlands, while a long-term international research visit may also be possible. As part of the PhD training, you will take part in our medical biology educational program. You will supervise BSc and MSc students within the context of your project, and assist in 1 or 2 courses per year. As such, up to 10% of your working time may be spend on teaching activities.
Profile

• You have an MSc degree or equivalent in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry or biomedical sciences.
• You are highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary environment at the cutting edge of science.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as is a willingness to work flexible hours.
• You have a strong science-driven curiosity and affinity with fundamental research related to mouse ESCs, early embryonic development and embryonic model systems.
• Hands-on experience in genome-wide approaches (proteomics/ sequencing) and knowledge of computational biology are highly advantageous.
• Fluency in English is required.

We are

The Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences  (RIMLS) is a leading interfaculty research institute of the faculties of Science (FNWI) and Medicine (Radboudumc). The central research theme is regulation of gene expression during development and in health and disease. Research areas of RIMLS-FNWI include epigenetics, stem-cell and developmental biology, and computational biology. Important tools used within the institute include next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, single-cell (multi-omics) analysis and computational analysis. To perform state-of-the-art research, RIMLS-FNWI operates its own wet-lab and computational facilities. This fundamental and applied research in medical biology and molecular life sciences has clear links to biochemical research performed within Radboud University's Faculty of Science and to more clinically oriented research programmes at departments within Radboudumc. Within the NWO-ENW-XL consortium, you will work closely with researchers from the Hubrecht Institute (Jop Kind group), Dutch Cancer Institute (Tineke Lenstra group) and University of Amsterdam (Renée van Amerongen group). RIMLS-FNWI actively contributes to teaching activities in the Biology programme at Radboud University. The RIMLS-FNWI institute currently consists of 50 researchers (including 30 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers) and provides a vivid and international working environment. The institute actively participates in national and international consortia and collaborations.

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!
We offer

• It concerns an employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,541 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,247 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P ).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
Would you like more information?
For questions about the position, please contact Hendrik Marks, Assistant Professor at +31 24 361 05 61 or hendrik.marks [at] ru.nl.
Practical information and applying
You can apply until 8 January 2023, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Hendrik Marks. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation outlining your special interest in the position, qualifications, experience and career goals.
• Your CV, including the names and addresses of at least two professional references.
• An overview of grades obtained at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The first round of interviews will take place on Thursday, 12 January.
You would preferably begin employment on 1 March 2023.
We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure . It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.
Apply now Application deadline 08 January 2023

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.

Dr Marks, H. (Hendrik)
Assistant Professor
hendrik.marks [at] ru.nl +31 24 361 05 61

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• Work at Radboud University (i.e. have an employment contract with Radboud University).
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• Work as a temporary employee at, or have been seconded to, Radboud University.

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Last modified: 14 December 2022
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