Vacancy Research technician to improve immunotherapy against cancer

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated technician to contribute to the development of new immune therapies for cancer patients. As a research technician, you work alongside PhD students to improve immunotherapy against cancer. In this translational project, funded by KiKa, you focus on enhancing allogeneic Natural Killer (NK) cell therapy for (pediatric) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and contribute to translating this research into the clinic.

Within this project, you are responsible for collecting umbilical cord blood from the operating room and isolating CD34+ stem cells from this blood. Through a culturing process, you expand and differentiate these CD34+ stem cells into large quantities of NK cells. These NK cells are used for functional in vitro and in vivo experiments. Additionally, you work on improving the specificity, activity, and expansion of these NK cells through viral transduction of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR). These CARs are specifically targeted against proteins that are highly expressed on AML cells, allowing these CAR NK cells to operate more precisely. 

Do you want to contribute to the development of new cancer therapies? Come and join our team!

Tasks & Responsibililties

• Collecting and processing umbilical cord blood from the operating room and delivery rooms.
• Sterile isolation and culturing of primary cells and cell lines.
• Cloning CAR constructs.
• Producing plasmids and (lenti and retro) viruses.
• Performing transfections and transductions.
• Conducting flow cytometry and functional assays.
• Independently conducting experiments.
• Reporting results in meetings and through presentations to the department.
• Ensuring accurate documentation.

Place of work

You will work in the Immunotherapy research group of the Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. We focus on the characterization and modulation of anti-tumor immune responses in cancer patients.

Our translational research program encompasses four intermingled themes: 1) development of novel strategies to boost antitumor immunity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, 2) co-signaling pathways involved in tumor immune escape, 3) DC-based vaccination strategies against hematological cancers, and 4) T and NK cell-based immunotherapy against leukemia, multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer. Our research is embedded in the Radboud Research Institute.

The studies indicated in this vacancy will be performed in close collaboration with clinicians of the Department of Hematology at the Radboudumc and the Prinses Máxima Center. We provide a stimulating work environment within a group of enthusiastic non-clinical and clinical researchers with a strong national and international research network and track record.

Radboudumc
Radboud university medical center is a university medical center for patient care, scientific research, and education in Nijmegen. Radboud university medical center strives to be at the forefront of shaping the healthcare of the future. We do this in a person-centered and innovative way, and in close collaboration with our network. We want to have a significant impact on health and healthcare. We want to improve with each passing day, continuously working towards better healthcare, research, and education. And gaining a better understanding of how diseases arise and how we can prevent, treat, and cure them, day in and day out. This way, every patient always receives the best healthcare, now and in the future. Because that is why we do what we do.

Profile

Our ideal candidate holds an bachelor diploma on biomedical research (HLO) like Bachelor Life Sciences, Bachelor Biologie en Medisch Laboratoriumonderzoek or similar and has experience with cell culture (ML-0, -I, and -II), flow cytometry, and immunological assays.

In addition you possess the profile below:

• Has experience with plasmid cloning.
• Has experience with transfection, virus production, and viral transduction.
• Can work independently but also enjoys collaborating with others.
• Is proactive, enthusiastic, critical, accurate, and flexible.
• Possesses good social and communication skills.
• Is proficient in English, spoken and written.

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:

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.401 and € 4.816 (scale 8M) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular 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 application before 29 November 2024. We will then contact you shortly. The job interviews takes place in week 50 between 9 and 13 December 2024.

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 call or email to Harry Dolstra, full professor via +31(0)24 361 97 53. Use the Apply button to submit your application.