Vacancy PhD candidate Paediatrics | Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Job description

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare group of diseases of the adrenal cortex characterized by impaired cortisol production and accumulation of precursors steroids (PS) and adrenal androgens (AA). In this project we will focus on patients with CAH due to 21-hydroylase deficiency, the most common form of CAH with a prevalence of 1:15 000.

Patients require lifelong cortisol replacement treatment based on international guidelines, yet most adult patients develop short- and long-term complications. Patients are at risk to develop a life threatening adrenal crisis in situations of illness. Therefore, parents and patients have to be educated regularly to increase their cortisol dosages adequately in situations of stress. Well-known long-term complications in undertreated patients with chronically elevated AA are infertility, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases with a reduced quality of life.

The excess of AA is an important hallmark responsible for many complications. Therefore, treatment aims to decrease AA concentrations within normal range with frequent monitoring. The current approach measuring androstenedione cannot differentiate between adrenal and gonadal origin of androgens. Notably, adrenal specific 11-oxygenated androgens (11OA) are the most abundant AA in 21OHD. Therewith, 11OA are promising biomarkers for treatment monitoring of CAH. For clinical implementation longitudinal studies are necessary, especially in children and infants.

In this project the measurement method of 11OA in saliva will be developed and the role of 11OA will be studied in a clinical cohort of patients with CAH. Salivary measurement of AA enables non-invasive home-based sample collection over several timepoints per day. To enable saliva collection in young children (<4 years), we will evaluate a new saliva collection tool. We want to investigate efficacy and clinical implementation of salivary 11OA as new biomarkers for treatment control in pediatric 21OHD. We hypothesize that measuring 11OA in saliva will improve treatment control and consequently long-term clinical outcome in patients with 21OHD.

Furthermore, to improve hormonal control and especially to lower AA new treatment options Since May 2021, a controlled-release cortisol preparation has been authorized by the EMA and available on the Dutch market since March 2022 and is registered for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. Dose recommendations for this age group are not given and treatment is based on recommendations based on adult schedules Therefore, there is a need for a more protocolized treatment to prospectively evaluate the effects of this preparation.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Unravelling the clinical importance of AA in CAH disease.
• Optimalization of treatment regimen for CAH patients.
• Correlation obtained research data with clinical data.
• Generate and critically analyze the data in order to prepare scientific publications and presents findings at scientific meetings.
• Supervise MSc and/or BSc students.
• Participation in the graduate school of Radboudumc.

Place of work

This PhD position is available based at the department of Paediatrics at the Radboudumc, centre of expertise on Sex & Gender headed by Prof. dr. Hedi Claahsen. The research will be performed in close collaboration with the Department of Laboratory Medicine (dr. Teun van Herwaarden, Prof. Fred Sweep). You will join the Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) research group, with a longstanding experience of  investigating pathophysiological mechanisms of CAH steroidogenesis.

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

Our new PhD candidate has an MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences or Molecular Life Sciences, Medicine or a related field and affinity with clinical research. You have affinity with LC-MSMS and measurement method development in clinical practice and an structured working style.

In addition you possess the profile below:

• A strong motivation, flexibility, and willingness to learn.
• Critical scientific attitude and be able to work both independently as well as in a group.
• Excellent communication skills; oral and in English writing.

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. This project is for 3 years.
• 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 9 December 2024. We will then contact you shortly. Applicants should include a letter of intent outlining special interest in the position, related qualifications, experience and career goals, a curriculum vitae, including a list of grades of your BSc MSc components and names and addresses of professional references in the application.The job interviews take place on 17 December 2024.We would appreciate it if you would take this into account.

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, send a message or email to dr. Teun van Herwaarden, laboratory specialist at +316 22 39 73 26 or prof. dr. Hedi Claahsen, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Professor of Differences in Sex Development & Transgender Care at +3124 36 14 430. Use the Apply button to submit your application.