You will use behavioral paradigms to assess learning and memory combined with viral technologies to identify and measure the properties of engram cells and their role in memory strength and memory generalization using various tools. These can include electrophysiology, proteomics, Crispr-Cas, dual-eGRASP, dendrite and spine reconstructions, optogenetics, and memory engram-specific interventions.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• gain knowledge of the field through literature survey, discussion with team members, and internal lab meetings;
• contribute to the design of experiments and perform experiments in the lab;
• analyse and interpret results of the experiments;
• take a leading role in writing manuscripts;
• be an active member of the research teams at both the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (UvA) and VU Amsterdam (VU, CNCR) and present results at (inter)national scientific meetings;
• participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training programme;
• assist in teaching and supervise Bachelor and Master’s students.

You are excited about science and have a particular interest in and preferably have knowledge about learning and memory processes. You like a challenge and you are not afraid of combining work on preclinical rodent models with various techniques such as electrophysiology, behavior, molecular biology, structural analysis. You have good statistical skills and experience with molecular tools and data-analysis. You are a team player and a nice colleague who enjoys being part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists. Finally, you have good time management skills enabling you to meet the projects’ deadlines for finishing analyses, reports and other deliverables.

Your experience and profile  

You have/are

• a MSc degree in Neuroscience or related fields; 
• affinity and experience with performing animal experiments;
• affinity and experience with behavioural and neurobiological techniques;
• good project and time management skills enabling you to meet the projects’ deadlines for finishing analyses, reports and other deliverables;  
• good analytical, writing and presenting skills; 
• fluent in English, both written and spoken and the willingness to learn Dutch (in case not Dutch native speaker);
• it is a plus if you have experience with learning and memory research.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is 1 November 2025. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,901in the first year to €3,707 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands 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;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• 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.