PhD student nec and sepsis in preterm infants

Necrotizing enterocolitis (nec) and sepsis are life-threatening complications in very preterm infants. Probiotic treatment reduces nec incidence by up to 50% in Dutch neonatal intensive care units, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

This PhD project aims to uncover how microbial metabolites and bioactive molecules drive early gut maturation, immune regulation and barrier function. You will study both beneficial and potentially pathogenic effects of the intestinal microbiota, with a focus on host–microbe interactions in the immature gut.

You conduct fundamental biomedical research using human intestinal epithelial organoid models and microbiological culture systems. Techniques include barrier integrity assays (teer, translocation assays), gene expression analysis (qPCR, RNA sequencing), protein detection and quantification, and targeted metabolomics. The project is embedded in an NWO-VIDI-funded research line and closely connected to clinical neonatology.

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

As a PhD candidate, you investigate mechanisms underlying nec and sepsis in preterm infants. You work with clinical samples and advanced in vitro models to translate fundamental insights into improved prevention strategies.

Your tasks include:

• Designing and performing experiments in intestinal organoid and cell culture models;
• Conducting (an)aerobic microbial culture experiments;
• Assessing epithelial barrier function using teer and translocation assays;
• Analysing gene and protein expression using qPCR, RNA sequencing and immunoassays;
• Interpreting data and presenting results in team meetings and scientific publications.

You actively collaborate with clinicians, microbiologists and bioinformaticians and contribute to conferences and consortium meetings.

You are driven to improve neonatal health through fundamental and translational research. You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary environment and take ownership of your project.

You have:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in biomedical sciences, molecular biology, medicine or a related field; applicants in the final stage of their degree are welcome to apply;
• A strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology and/or immunology;
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team;
• Strong analytical skills and a proactive research attitude;
• Excellent English communication skills, written and spoken.

Technical skills

• intestinal organoid models and mammalian cell culture (2D/3D systems, e.g. Caco-2, HT29, THP1);
• (an)aerobic microbial culture techniques;
• barrier integrity analysis, including TEER and translocation assays;
• RNA isolation, qPCR and gene expression analysis;
• ELISA and immunofluorescent staining;
• protein detection and quantification techniques;
• RNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing;
• targeted metabolomics and HPLC;
• flow cytometry (FACS);
• data analysis using R and/or Python.