In pregnancies that are complicated by fetal growth restriction in early pregnancy (before 32 weeks of gestation) the biggest challenge is to identify the right timing of birth. The right timing is as late as possible to allow as much maturation as possible, but before hypoxia occurs that can cause fetal death or adverse neurological outcomes.
Within the FGR PODS project (see www.fetalgrowthrestriction.com) you will explore if we can find biomarkers in maternal blood, that indicate damage to the placenta, and can thus help to predict when the baby should be born. The main candidates for this are degradation products of a specific placental cell layer: the syncytiotrophoblast, such as cell-free foetal DNA and miRNA.
As a PhD student you have a research-oriented attitude. Important for this project is a strong affinity with medicine, preferably also with (complicated) pregnancy. Moreover, you bring the following:
Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
You will join the team at UMC Groningen and Amsterdam UMC. The lead investigators, post-docs and PhD’s in the team have a variable background: medicine biomedical, AI, engineering. Your work location will mainly be in Groningen, but team activities will often be in Amsterdam.
You will be part of the team of the research line, with more PhD’s on different aspects of foetal growth restriction. In the team, personal and professional interactions are important, and educational meetings including journal clubs are organized on a regular basis. We hope that you will appreciate the open, relaxed, humorous atmosphere in which we also work hard to collaboratively solve our challenges.
During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. Note that interviews are scheduled for the beginning of December.
We aim to finish the process timely and seek to employ our best candidate in the beginning of 2025.
If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact:
For more information about the application procedure, please contact Rhiannon Sandfort, Recruitment advisor, via r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl.
A reference check, screening and hiring test 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).
Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.