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PhD candidate 'Targeted photodynamic therapy for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism – preclinical characterization of therapeutic tracers'

AcademicTransfer
11 Jan 2024

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc)
Research Field
Physics
Medical sciences
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Netherlands
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Not Applicable
Hours Per Week
36.0
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

We are looking for a PhD candidate who is eager to make a difference, working with us to develop and implement a groundbreaking treatment for patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). Will you join our ambitious team?

The PhD student will work on a preclinical project which is part of a large European consortium. In this European project, we will develop and clinically implement a novel treatment for patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). CHI is characterized by the presence of defective pancreatic beta-cells that oversecrete insulin, leading to life-threatening hypoglycemia in infants. As these defective pancreatic beta-cells overexpress the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R), you will work on GLP1R-binding peptides labeled with photosensitizers for application in photodynamic therapy and peptides labeled with radionuclides for application in PET imaging.

In this preclinical project, you will further characterize these GLP1R-binding peptides in small animal models. Goal is to deliver protocols for the pharmacological dose and light dose needed to obtain effective photodynamic therapy and to evaluate if PET imaging using the radiolabeled GLP1R-binding peptides can be used to predict the dose that is needed to reach therapeutic efficacy. You will be working in a team with other scientists and clinicians to plan, discuss, and perform research in a stimulating research environment.

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Design and perform scientific research with GLP1R-targeting peptides for application in targeted photodynamic therapy and PET imaging (radiolabeling, in vitro cell binding and therapy experiments, small animal imaging and therapy experiments, pharmacokinetic modelling and dosimetry calculations).
  • Analyze scientific data.
  • Write scientific publications and present findings at (inter)national scientific meetings.

Requirements

Specific Requirements

You have a Master’s degree in (Medical) Biology, Biomedical sciences, Molecular life sciences, or equivalent and have a strong motivation to successfully complete a PhD. Moreover you have:

  • A permit to work with laboratory animals (or willing to obtain this permit).
  • A permit to work with radioactivity (or willing to obtain this permit).
  • Well-developed communicational and social skills directed towards working in a team.

Additional Information

Benefits

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

  • A gross monthly salary in scale 10A between € 2.901 and € 3.677 (for a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
  • Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. You can also share knowledge with colleagues through digital learning spaces – perfect for getting inspired and inspiring others.
  • Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example, we have our own sports facilities and a Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. And if you are going through a life-changing event, our Company Support Team and a personal coach are there to help you.
  • Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. This includes advice and training courses (from ‘Millennial Dilemmas’ to ‘Your Career After 57’), activities at our own mindfulness center, and informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
  • 168 holiday hours per year (23 days) based on a 36-hour working week.
  • 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid.
  • A good collective pension scheme with a 70% reimbursement of your pension premium.
  • Discounts on health insurance and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
  • An allowance for your travel expenses or a working-from-home allowance of €2 per day.
Selection process

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then call or email to
Dr. Sanne van Lith, postdoc via +31 (24) 361 38 13. Use the Apply button to submit your application.

Additional comments

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then call or email to
Dr. Sanne van Lith, postdoc via +31 (24) 361 38 13. Use the Apply button to submit your application.

Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Radboudumc
Country
Netherlands
City
Nijmegen
Postal Code
6525 GA
Street
Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10
Geofield

Contact

City
Nijmegen
Website
Street
Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10
Postal Code
6525 GA