As a PhD candidate in our group, you will characterize the short- and long-term effects of rmTBI on the fate of resident neural stem cells in the hippocampus, including neurogenesis, astrogliogenesis, reactive astrogliosis, production of inflammatory mediators and, microglia activation, hippocampal function and memory impairment in a mouse model of repetitive TBI. Moreover, you will contribute to the identification of conserved cell populations, transcriptional programs and intercellular communication networks affected by TBI in the mouse and human hippocampus.

For this, you will use an established mouse model of closed head rmTBI in combination with single-nucleus/spatial transcriptomics, cellular morphology, electrophysiology, behavioural testing, and molecular assays to identify mechanisms linking rmTBI to persistent hippocampal dysfunction and neuroinflammation. All the necessary techniques, expertise and training opportunities are available in our labs.

Tasks and responsibilities: 

• complete a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration (four years);
• systematically and independently designing, performing and documenting experiments;
• setting up and running bioinformatic pipelines to complement experimental work;
• be an active and responsible member of both our research groups and discuss work with group members during departmental meetings and incorporate their feedback;
• taking a leading role in writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• participating in PhD training programme of the University of Amsterdam and The Graduate School Neurosciences Amsterdam Rotterdam (ONWAR);
• assist teaching and supervision of Bachelor and Master students at the UvA.

You will get the opportunity to:

• present results at (inter)national scientific conferences;
• expand your academic, professional and personal skills;
• contribute to science communication and outreach activities;
• thrive in a team that values impactful research and mutual support;
• combine the advantages that a collaborative project offers, such as access to state-of-the art research facilities at both the Swammerdam Institute, and to those at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience.

Your experience and profile:

• a master’s degree in biomedical sciences with a neuroscience specialization or similar;
• a strong affinity and hands-on experience with experimental work with laboratory animals and/or molecular and cellular biology. Having an Article 9 certificate to work with laboratory animals is a pre-requisite;
• a strong (proven) interest in bioinformatics analysis of complex datasets
• fluent in English, both written and spoken.

You are dedicated, accurate, stress-resistant, a pleasant colleague, well organized and prepared to, and capable of working at 2 different locations.

We offer 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 January 2027. 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 €3.204 in the first year to €4.051 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package? You can read more about it here.