Department

ERIBA

Working Enviroment

The European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging (ERIBA) is a research institute within the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). ERIBA aims to discover molecular mechanisms of ageing that can be used as targets to prevent or delay age-related diseases. Our research teams are working with different model systems and technology platforms and share their knowledge and expertise to accelerate discoveries. Furthermore, we heavily invest in Systems Biology to integrate our findings in the various mechanisms of ageing that have been proposed. ERIBA is housed in a brand new building and part of the central UMCG campus in central Groningen, a vibrant student town (with over 25,000 students) in the northern Netherlands. PhD students are enrolled in the Graduate School of Medical Sciences of the University of Groningen.

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious post-doc candidate in the Laboratory of Cellular senescence and age-related pathologies, headed by Prof. Marco Demaria, to study a novel intervention against cellular senescence and the consequence for extending healthy longevity.

Cellular senescence is a complex tumor-suppressive mechanism induced by many different stresses. Senescent cells are characterized by growth arrest, changes in morphology and gene expression, and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, proteases and other molecules that can alter the tissue microenvironment (a phenomenon termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype or SASP). Senescent cells increase with age, and are evident at sites of numerous age-related pathologies and pre-cancerous lesions. This notion led to the identification of various pharmaceutical and nutraceutical strategies to interfere with the detriment of senescent cells.

Recent results from our laboratory has shown that senescent cells are heterogeneous and are differentially vulnerable to different types of senotherapies. We have identified novel key mechanisms related to senescent cells survival which we use as target for novel pharmacological interventions.

The proposed project aims to validate the newly discovered mechanisms for senescent cells survival in both cell culture and in tissues. In parallel, we will screen a curated library of small molecules to identify compounds that achieve selective senescent cells elimination and improves frailty and another age-related dysfunctions in mouse models. In addition, we will analyse datasets derived from human cohorts, and search for correlation between health/disease and the newly discovered mechanisms.

Requirements

You will be part of a young and enthusiastic research group and you should have the following requirements:
- required education/skills: PhD in Molecular/Cellular/Medical Biology;
- experience in a wide variety of molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g. qPCR, FACS, Western blots, histology, imaging);
- experience working with mouse models (Article 9 is a plus);
- successful PhD trajectory with at least one first authorship;
- should be enthusiastic, ambitious, and organized;
- collaborative, communication and networking skills are mandatory.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.
In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

Conditions of employment

You will get a temporary contract (36 hours a week) for one year with a possible extension with an extra year. After one year, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to extend for a second year. Additional extensions are likely and will be discussed in due time. Your salary will be a maximum of € 5.088,- gross per month (scale 10), depending on your qualifications and relevant experience, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Full applications including a motivation letter and your resume will receive full consideration.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy you may contact:

Marco Demaria telefoonnummer +31 (050) 361 7300
m.demaria@umcg.nl

Applying for a job

Please use the the digital application form at the bottom of this page - only these will be processed. You can apply until 18 April 2023. Within half an hour after sending the digital application form you will receive an email- confirmation with further information.

Digital application form