PhD Cellular Neuroscience - Astrocyte Physiology

The Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the SUPERGLUE consortium: a fundamental research effort into the physiology of astrocytes. This project focuses on the regulation of brain water homeostasis by astrocytes. Astrocytes are a major glial cell type in the brain, playing key roles in supporting neuronal activity and maintaining the brain's internal environment. Within this project, special attention is given to the subcellular compartment known as the astrocyte endfoot, which closely associates with the brain vasculature and regulates water and ion exchange between the brain and the bloodstream.

This PhD project will investigate the molecular and structural organization of astrocyte endfeet, and how these structures dynamically change with brain activity. By employing various models, molecular profiling, and high-resolution imaging, the project aims to uncover the mechanisms by which astrocytes regulate brain fluid dynamics and how their dysfunction may contribute to neurological disorders.

The PhD project will be embedded within the research team of Dr. Rogier Min and is part of the NWO-funded SUPERGLUE consortium — a collaboration between leading Dutch and international research groups studying astrocyte compartmentalization in health and disease.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

You will:

• Study the structure and molecular composition of astrocyte endfeet in the healthy brain and compare this to available disease models;
• Develop and use genetic and imaging tools to manipulate and visualize astrocyte subcompartments in cell-based or mouse models;
• Analyze how these compartments respond to changes in brain state, such as sleep or learning;
• Investigate their role in controlling water and ion homeostasis;
• Collaborate closely with partners in the SUPERGLUE consortium, including experts in imaging, proteomics and human brain tissue models.

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate, who:

• Holds a Master degree in Neurosciences, Biomedical Sciences or a related field;
• Has a strong interest in fundamental neuroscience, glial biology and cellular physiology;
• Has experience with in vitro models and molecular biology techniques, and likes developing new tools and approaches;
• Enjoys doing research at the intersection of fundamental and clinical neuroscience;
• Holds an Article 9 qualification for animal experimentation;
• Works independently, but also thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team;
• Is fluent in English.