PhD in Chemical biology aimed at a new treatment strategy for AML (1.0 FTE)

Organisation

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 36,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global center of knowledge. The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is the largest faculty within the University. We offer first-rate education and research in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines. Our community has an open and informal character with students and staff from around the world.

Job description

Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD study, starting as soon as possible, in the research group of Prof. Frank J. Dekker, (

https://www.rug.nl/staff/f.j.dekker/

) at the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP). We have a position as a PhD student to work on the interface of Organic Chemistry and Cell biology on development of a new treatment strategy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

The current therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) suffers from development of therapy resistance. Cancer cells responsible for development of therapy resistance reside in the bone marrow in a low oxygen environment. A mechanism that enables killing of therapy resistant cancers cells is called ferroptosis. Here we aim to enhance the ferroptosis process by development of a novel therapeutic strategy. This strategy involves development of molecules that are activated by low oxygen concentrations and trigger degradation of proteins that suppress ferroptosis and thus enhance this process. Thus, this strategy will enable eradication of cancer cells that are resistant to chemotherapy, which will postpone or abolish relapse into cancer progression.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this project is an experimental scientist with experience in laboratory techniques that are relevant at the interface of chemistry and biology. A successful candidate has proven practical skills focus in cell biology and is able to interact with organic chemistry.

Your profile includes:

• a Master degree in Pharmacy, (Bio)pharmaceutical sciences or a related discipline such as Biochemistry, Cell biology or Medical biology
• proven ability to do experimental research
• a genuine scientific interest
• ability to work in a team
• ability to learn new techniques
• academic English language skills.

Conditions of employment

We offer an attractive job in which you will learn the newest experimental techniques , have inspiring interactions in a truly interdisciplinary/international lab and contribute to fundamental knowledge that will guide future drug discovery efforts.

We offer you, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth and final year
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
• an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees
• first, a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.)

The conditions of employment:

https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/
Information

For information you can contact:

Prof. F.J. Dekker,   f.j.dekker@rug.nl

(please do not use the email addresses above for applications)