Vacancy PhD candidate 'Electrophysiology of Retina'

Job description

We have a vacant position for a PhD student - Electrophysiology of Retina. Join a PhD program in retinal development and immerse yourself in cutting-edge research to unlock the secrets of the human retina organoids from stem cells. With state-of-the-art techniques, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact by developing innovative solutions for ocular diseases. Advance your career and change the future of eye care: This program offers you a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of scientific discovery. Apply now and take your passion and creativity to the next level!

The Department of Ophthalmology of the Radboud University Medical Center is a global leader in the field of multifactorial and genetic retinal eye diseases. The research of the department is focused on retinal forms of blindness that affect large numbers of patients worldwide, especially inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our aim is to develop personalized treatment and prevention options using metabolomics, natural history studies and genetic profiles combined with imaging parameters, and artificial intelligence. Our ongoing research activities include genome-wide associations studies, development of eye-on-a-chip and patient-specific stem cell-derived retinal in vitro models, complement assays, and antisense oligonucleotide and CRISPR-cas9 technology.

Taks and responsibilities

• Design and lead experiments to record electroretinographic signals with MEA and patch clamp or/and calcium imaging signals from retinal organoids and mouse retina.
• Perform analysis of recorded data.
• Collaborate with other team members to generate functional organoids for retinal research.
• Interpret data and communicate results effectively to the team and stakeholders.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Place of work

The department of Ophthalmology has approximately 120 employees, holds 8 ophthalmic subspecialties, each at an academic level. Our main focus of interest lies with the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases which accounts for over half of the patient care provided by the department. Our department is internationally renowned for its expertise on retinal disease.  Examples are inherited retinal diseases, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes mellites and vitreoretinal surgery.

Our scientific research lines match the clinical focus and is directed at retinal disorders. We have an enthusiastic team of researchers who collaborate collaborating in several research lines. Our team includes 2 senior PI’s, 2 junior levels PI’s, one research fellow, 7 PhD students and 2 research technicians.
The department has a large clinical trial center that currently houses over 35 trials. The department's research and clinical trials often target innovative treatment methods, such as gene therapy and RNA therapy.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare. 

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Profile

• A master’s degree in (Medical) Biology, biomedical science, and relevant filed. 
• Experimental knowledge in electrophysiology (patch clamp, multi-electrode array) , ideally in functional imaging, cell/tissue culture or molecular biology is an advantage.
• A solid background in biology, ideally in neuroscience.
• Background in statistics and data analysis.
• Programming experience in Python, Matlab, R or similar is ideal.
• Good organizational skills.

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.017 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.824 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• 172 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. (As of 1 January 2025, you will receive 176 vacation hours). 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.35 per day.

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your CV, cover letter, and the contact information for two references before 25 November. A development assessment might be part of the procedure.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to Dr. Zohreh Hosseinzadeh, assistant professor. Use the Apply button to submit your application.