About the project
Within the CANGONANO network, Amsterdam UMC is recruiting one doctoral candidate (DC) to carry out research in GlycoNanoMaterials for precision delivery of mRNA/peptide antigens to antigen presenting cells.
The position will be supervised by dr. Sandra J. van Vliet at Amsterdam UMC, and will offer candidates the opportunity to work at the forefront of glyconanotechnology to fill gaps in cancer immunotherapy, while benefiting from tailored training and international secondments across the consortium. Co-supervisors for this project are Maria Elisa Perico (Aptuit, Italy) and Sergio Moya (CIC biomaGUNE, Spain).
Please read more information about the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) projects here.
Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.
About the role
This PhD project will focus on:
- Dissecting the internal routing of GlycoNanoMaterials (GNM) in antigen presenting cells (APC) and identification of lectins involved in uptake of GNM into APCs; evaluation of the efficacy of GNM in terms of antigen presentation and APC/T-cell crosstalk.
- Training in cell culture and immune activation, flow cytometry, antigen presentation in APCs, biophysical techniques, in vivo immunogenicity.
Planned secondments for this DC include:
- CIC biomaGUNE (academia, Spain), S.Moya; (second year, two months) training in the lectin-GNM interactions.
- Aptuit (industry, Italy), M. E. Perico; (third year, three months), training on in vivo immunogenicity of GNM.
Profile
- The position is open to candidates of any nationality, provided they strictly fulfil the eligibility requirements established for the enrollment through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action-Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). Equal opportunities policy without distinction on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be applied.
- Experience: You must not be already in possession of a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree, will not be considered eligible. Applicants must possess a five-years university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).
- Transnational mobility rule: You comply with the transnational mobility rule of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network. You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not considered.
Specific skills and qualifications regarding the DC12 position are:
- a Master’s degree in a field related to biomolecular sciences, preferably with a specialization in immunology.
- practical experience in immunology, flow cytometry and microscopy;
- strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- a flexible, pro-active team spirit;
- excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
In particular, you must comply with the following eligibility criteria:
- commit full time to the research activity, unless authorization is granted by the European Commission for personal or family reasons;
- carry out exclusively the research activities related to the specified research program;
- refrain from receiving any additional income beyond what is specified in the call;
- agree to sign all necessary agreements concerning intellectual property rights;
- maintain confidentiality in accordance with the regulations of the European Project.
Our offer
Each recruited doctoral candidate will be offered a temporary gross research fellowship.
- A great start of your research career in an internationally renowned research lab and in an interdisciplinary international network.
- Opportunity to perform creative and state-of-the-art research in the field of immunology.
- Work in a mid-sized team on collaborative and independent projects with highly motivated colleagues.
- Participation in network-wide training activities, courses, workshops and conferences.
- As a student in the AMC Graduate School you will also have access to additional training and development.
- A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. Although the CanGoNano project will run for 36 months, Amsterdam UMC offers a 4th year to complement the Dutch requirements for a PhD.
- Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross for full-time employment (depending on education and experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here. As of 1 July 2026, the salary will be increased by 3.5% in accordance with the collective labor agreement (CAO UMC).
- Vacation hours: 190,4 per year for full time and possibility to save additional hours.
- Free and unlimited access to our online learning environment GoodHabitz.
- Pension accrual with the ABP, of which we pay 70% of the premium.
- A reimbursement of your public transport expenses. Do you prefer to come by bike? Then we have a good bicycle scheme.
- An active staff association and Jong Amsterdam UMC association, both of which organize fun (sports) activities and events.
About the workplace
CanGoNano is a European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), focusing on glyconanomaterials (GNM) as precision tools to unveil key insights on the triggering of the antigen presenting cells (APC) against cancer using antigenic peptides and mRNAs encoding for these peptides. Within CanGoNano, doctoral candidates (DCs) will be equipped with a thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in cancer immunotherapy and the necessary transferable skills. CanGoNano will provide an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary educational program, according to the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.
The Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology is located in the vibrant O|2 Lab Building at the VU/Amsterdam UMC campus and houses excellent cytometry and imaging core facilities. The research performed at the department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology covers a wide variety of topics in the field of cell biology and immunology in health and disease and is at an internationally highly competitive level. The research group led by Dr. Sandra van Vliet (Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc) focuses on the role of tumor-associated glycan structures and their role in tumor biology as well as anti-tumor immunity.
Let's meet
You must apply through the project website: www.cangonano.eu. Any other form of application will not be considered. All applications will be checked for eligibility. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications must be in English. Applicants must complete and upload the data, documents, and information through the project website www.cangonano.eu by following an eight-step application procedure.
During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact dr. S.J. van Vliet via s.vanvliet@amsterdamumc.nl.
A reference check, screening and hiring assessment may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).
Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.