This project is a collaboration between the Swammerdam Institute or Life Sciences (SILS), University of Amsterdam (UvA), and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Part of this project will be carried out at TNO The Hague location Ypenburg at the department of Personal Protection and Explosive Safety. The department is part of the TNO unit Defence, Safety & Security.

This project is a follow up of our previous published work on traumatic brain injury:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49299-6

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-022-01208-z

As a PhD candidate in our group, you will study and model the biomechanical chain of events following (blast) impacts on the brain, as well as the long-lasting molecular and structural changes inside the brain, and their effects on behavior and cognition. Translational aspects from animal models to humans and vice versa will be a focus. You will also investigate the predictive value of potential biomarkers for brain structural changes and effects. 

Besides lab experiments, you will be using your technical skills to simulate impacts and loads from blasts to the brain using numerical models. You will employ cutting-edge modelling and neurobiological techniques, behavioral animal tests, advanced analytical methods, while collaborating with laboratory scientists, and modelling and data specialists between the TNO and UvA-SILS 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 numerical models to complement experimental work;
• be an active and responsible member of both our research groups;
• discussing work with group members and 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 SILS-UvA, and to those of the TNO laboratories of location Ypenburg, The Hague

Your experience and profile:

• a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences and/or (biomedical) engineering, human movement science, (cognitive) neuroscience 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 numerical and computational/physical modelling of force transmission onto objects is preferred and/or expertise on injury biomechanics or traumatic brain injury is a plus;
• 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 as soon as possible. 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 €3.059 in the first year to €3.881 (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.