Postdoc Position: Molecular Mechanisms of Motor Neurodegeneration

1. Introduction

Are you a scientist with a PhD (or close to obtaining a PhD) in Neurobiology or a related field and interested in a scientific career? Are you passionate about science and a critical and creative thinker? Are you interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying motor neurodegenerative disease and performing cutting-edge biomedical research? Then you have a part to play as a postdoctoral researcher!

2. Job description

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will work independently on Drosophila genetics projects. Your main project will involve the characterisation of mutant lines identified in a forward genetic screen for genes required for axonal maintenance (unpublished). These mutants display adult-onset progressive degeneration of peripheral motor and/or sensory neurons. Phenotypic and molecular characterisation of these mutants involves Drosophila genetic approaches, behavioural analysis, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH), in vivo non-canonical amino acid tagging (NCAT), confocal and super-resolution imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, and next-generation sequencing.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to other ongoing projects in the lab, such as studying the molecular pathogenesis of CMT peripheral neuropathy associated with mutations in tRNA synthetases, or ALS associated with FUS (fused in sarcoma) mutations. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with and supervise Master's students, and - in the longer run - also PhD candidates. You will get some exposure to teaching in Master's courses. Finally, the development of an independent research project that can be transferred to a future position is possible and highly encouraged.

3. Profile

• You are a highly motivated, passionate, critical and creative individual with a strong publication record.
• You are team-oriented, open to provide and receive feedback, and keen to engage in scientific discussions.
• You hold, or are close to obtaining, a PhD in Neurobiology or a related field, and are interested in a scientific career.
• You have previous experience with Drosophila genetics and molecular biology.
• We are a dynamic international lab, so a good command of English is essential. 

4. We are

The Storkebaum lab combines Drosophila and mouse genetics to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying motor neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders. We work on Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) peripheral neuropathy associated with mutations in tRNA synthetases and on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with FUS mutations. More broadly, we are interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying axonal degeneration, with particular interest in the role of mRNA translation defects. We use a broad spectrum of methods and techniques including recently developed methods for cell-type-specific in vivo labelling of newly synthesised proteins (NCAT), several high-end imaging techniques (confocal and super-resolution microscopy), single-molecule FISH, single-cell/single-nucleus transcriptomics, whole genome sequencing, mouse and Drosophila behavioural analysis, electromyography, histology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry.

Our dynamic and international team currently consists of three postdoctoral researchers, three PhD candidates and two technical assistants. Furthermore, we have strong international collaborations with scientists working on RNA biology and genetics. We have attracted substantial external funding, including an ERC consolidator and Proof-of-Concept grant, two EU Joint Programme - Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) grants, and grants from the Radala Foundation for ALS Research, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), AFM (French muscular dystrophy association), ARSLA (French association for the needs of ALS patients), the Dutch ALS Association, Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds (Dutch charity for neuromuscular diseases), and the Dutch Research Council (NWO). We have several recent papers published in high-impact journals, including Science, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications, Nucleic Acids Research, Journal of Cell Biology, Acta Neuropathologica, EMBO Journal and PLoS Genetics.

5. We offer

• We will give you a full-time temporary employment contract of 2 year(s), with the option of extension for a further 2 years, depending on funding availability. 
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer 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 Erik Storkebaum. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. Please make sure you cover letter is no longer than one page. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on 17 November. You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2026 or later.

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. 

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