PhD Position: Molecular Biology

1. Introduction

Do you want to study the role of protein regulatory networks in the context of cancer? As a PhD Candidate at the Vermeulen Lab, you will develop and apply innovative omics strategies.

2. Job description

Protein–protein interactions and dynamic protein states are important for cellular identity. Aberrations in proteins drive oncogenic signalling and disease progression. The goal of the Oncode Accelerator Growth Fund project is to accelerate the development of new cancer therapies. In this PhD project, you will employ existing proteomic tools and develop new ones to study protein interactions and signalling pathways in primary cancer tissues, organoids and clinical samples. A key aim is to connect molecular mechanisms to tumour biology and identify novel actionable targets for drug development.

You will work extensively with patient-derived FFPE material, which is readily available within our clinical network. You will optimise and implement proteomic workflows tailored for highly limited, heterogeneous samples, enabling in-depth profiling of tumour biology. A major component of your work will be to establish intratumoral heterogeneity maps using spatial proteomic profiling, including the use of laser capture microdissection to isolate defined tumour regions prior to mass spectrometry analysis. Where feasible, you will also explore single-cell proteomics approaches on patient samples to gain additional resolution on cell-state diversity within tumours.

In parallel, you will collaborate closely with a postdoctoral researcher to develop and apply novel proximity-labelling strategies to chart dynamic protein–protein interactions and local proteome environments. These methodological developments will feed directly into large-scale interaction and signalling network analyses across clinically annotated cohorts.

Together, these efforts will generate an unprecedented, high-resolution view of how cancer-specific protein interaction networks are rewired in human disease. The project’s findings are expected to inform new hypotheses on epigenetic control in cancer and contribute to Oncode Accelerator’s translational goals of identifying actionable molecular targets.

Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate.

3. Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences or a related field.
• You have a strong interest in mass spectrometry-based proteomics, cancer biology and molecular mechanisms of gene regulation.
• You have hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular cloning. Prior experience with mass spectrometry-based techniques is an advantage.
• You have a collaborative mindset, analytical thinking skills and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment.  

4. We are

The Vermeulen Lab specialises in the development and application of state-of-the-art (interaction) proteomics technologies to understand how proteins and protein networks regulate gene expression and cell fate in health and disease. You will join a dynamic and internationally recognised research group that combines various mass spectrometry-based techniques to address fundamental biological questions. As part of the Oncode Accelerator consortium, you will collaborate closely with affiliated groups across the Netherlands, and you will have access to clinical material and expertise in translational cancer research. You will also have ample opportunities to establish connections with various pharmaceutical companies.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years.
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• There may be an opportunity for Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Michiel Vermeulen. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on 23 January. Any second interview will take place on 12 February. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.