Ph.D. position Revealing molecular and cellular mechanisms of Schizophrenia

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Ph.D. position Revealing molecular and cellular mechanisms of Schizophrenia
Are you interested in cutting-edge neuroscience research? Are you a student that has the ambition to work on schizophrenia? Do you want to contribute to understanding disease mechanisms of the human brain? If so, talk to us!
The Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has an offering for a Ph.D. position ‘Revealing molecular and cellular mechanisms of Schizophrenia’ at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology.

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 1.0
 

Job description

The Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR) is looking for a Master in Neuroscience student to join our team of researchers to study brain diseases. This project is part of an international collaboration which aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms that may lead to Schizophrenia. You will work on human brain samples from patients and healthy subjects, on genetic mouse models and patient-derived cells. Your project involves the (laser capture) dissection of brain samples, the isolation of proteins and the quantitative analysis of these using a mass spectrometry-based proteomics workflow.  This includes in-depth data analysis and bio-informatics. In addition, you will be doing intervention studies in human neurons.  

Requirements

  • You have a Master diploma in Neuroscience or equivalent.
  • You have a background in working in molecular biology and/or biochemistry; laboratory skills are a prerequisite and should be demonstratable.
  • You have been working with bioinformatics analysis and/ or statistics on large data sets
  • You are a team player with excellent social and communicative skills.
  • You have profound interest in neuroscience research.

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,443 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,122 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:
  • a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus 
  • solid pension scheme (ABP),
  • child daycare facilities available on campus 
  • good paid parental leave scheme 
  • contribution to commuting expenses

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.

The Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology (MCN) lab at the CNCR

At the CNCR, 150 people work closely together in defining how in essence simple molecular and cellular processes shape the emergent complexity of the brain. We have the specific ambition to unravel the mechanisms by which brain cells and circuitry act both in health and disease and aim to translate mechanistic knowledge into understanding of (dys)function of the human brain. Our neuroscience research area covers analysis over many spatial levels, from genes to the intact organism, and over a large temporal scale, from microsecond molecular events to the years of functioning of the human brain. MCN is one out of four labs at the CNCR, currently has 30 members and is headed by Prof. Guus Smit.

Application

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae, cover letter and list of courses followed with grades until April 21, 2022

Vacancy questions
With specific questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Names: Guus Smit or Ronald Van Kesteren
Positions: Full Professors
E-mail: guus.smit@vu.nlronald.van.kesteren@vu.nl
  Meer informatie en solliciteren