PhD position in organoids for personalized antiviral testing
For rapid control of virus outbreaks, fast availability of antivirals is a major bottleneck. In DETECTIVE, innovative models will be used for setting up an antiviral testing pipeline without the need for animals models. This doctoral project will focus on developing patient-derived organotypic models to test and optimise broad-spectrum antiviral therapies. Organotypic models, such as human organoids, are miniaturised in vitro organ cultures that mimic the human tissue-specific context. In this project, gut organoid models co-cultured with immune cells will be used to determine antiviral efficacy of available broadly acting antiviral against a scala of outbreak viruses such as enteroviruses and West-Nile virus. Patient-specific responses to virus infections will be assessed with integrated -omics techniques, and patient-dependent responses to antiviral therapy will be used to develop personalized medicine regimens for the future. With this project we will set the stage for an innovative human antiviral testing pipeline for viral outbreaks.
Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.
At the Amsterdam UMC, DETECTIVE is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Package 1. As DC6, your objectives are:
• To establish patient-derived gut organoid mucosa models
• To test a panel of broadly acting antiviral compounds in patient-derived gut mucosa organoid models
• To identify virus and host factors determining treatment response by transcriptomics and proteomics
- Master’s degree in biomedical sciences, infection, immunity or related fields.
- Experience working with mammalian cell culture, qPCR, and bioinformatics is preferred.
- Experience working with stem cells and organoids is desirable.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level).
- An interest in self-development and working in a multidisciplinary research environment
MSCA Eligibility Requirements, Mobility Rule
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment (1 March 2027).
Doctoral Degree Requirement
Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
- You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
- A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of four years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
- Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3.217 to € 4.077 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here.
- Holiday hours: 194.4 per year for full time and a possibility to save additional hours.
- 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs. If you travel by foot, bicycle, or car, a mileage allowance of €0.21 per km applies (up to a maximum of 40 km one way by car).
- Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme.
- Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
Supervisory Team
The DC will be supervised by Dr Katja Wolthers and Dr Adithya Sridhar.
Planned Secondments
The doctoral candidate will undertake international secondments within the DETECTIVE network, including:
- the Dutch Public Health Institute (Utrecht, The Netherlands)
- the University of Tampere (Tampere, Finland)
These secondments will provide exposure to both academic and industrial research environments and offer opportunities to develop complementary scientific and transferable skills.
Amsterdam UMC Research BV
Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.
Watch the video to find out more.
Complete the DETECTIVE Application Form and provide the following documents:
Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page)
Details for two references, you can add these later on in the portal after you uploaded your cv and motivation letter.
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).
Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.
