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Postdoctoral Researcher in Functional Human Neurogenomics

Employer
UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM
Location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Closing date
1 Oct 2019

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Academic Discipline
Biological Sciences, Life sciences
Job Type
Academic Posts, Postdocs
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Hours
Full Time

Closing date: 1 October 2019
Level of education: PhD
Hours: 38 hours per week
Salary indication: €2,709 to €3,895 gross per month

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is an institute of the Faculty of Science. Its approximately 230 scientists and staff members work in 16 research groups that perform excellent research, centred on four themes:

  1. Cell & Systems Biology;
  2. Neurosciences;
  3. Microbiology and
  4. Green Life Sciences.

The research group Evolutionary Neurogenomics works on elucidating the impact of human genome evolution on human brain development and disorders and is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to strengthen our team.

Job and Project description

You will be working on a project aimed at elucidating the disease-mechanism of a progressive neurodegenerative disorder called X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP). The disease leads to severe movement disorders exclusively affecting people with Filipino descent, particularly from the island of Panay where the mutation originally emerged. Recently, the cause of the disease was identified by the Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism (CCXDP), providing evidence that the insertion of a retrotransposon called SVA into an intron of the essential gene TAF1 leads to misregulation of TAF1 gene expression. The mechanism remains unclear.

This project is funded by the MGH Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism (CCXDP). It will use my lab’s expertise in studying the evolutionary impact of retrotransposons, to unravel the mechanism of SVA-mediated misregulation of TAF1. We will use XDP patient-derived organoids to systematically investigate the mechanism through which the XDP-SVA affects the TAF1 locus. This knowledge will lead to a better understanding on XDP disease progression and may ultimately provide the first crucial steps that will guide the XDP community to develop potential therapeutic strategies in the future.

You will be carrying out transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling of XDP-patient derived iPSCs. This includes RNA-seq/ChIP-seq sample and sequencing library preparation as well as biocomputational analysis of the data. In addition, you will work closely together with a technician who will be in charge of most of the iPSC/organoid culturing.

Requirements

You have:

  • a PhD in biomedical sciences / (functional) genomics, preferentially with prior experience on mammalian (human) genomes;
  • experience with all aspects of high throughput sequencing (such as RNA-seq/ ChIP-seq and post-sequencing biocomputational analysis;
  • strong academic ambitions and wish to get experience in co-supervising other lab-members;
  • excellent communication skills including a good command of the English language.

Appointment

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for the period of 1 year. After satisfactory performance evaluation it will be extended with 1 more year to a total duration of 2 years. The monthly gross salary will be maximal €3,895 (scale 10-9) based on a full-time appointment and depending on relevant work experience. We offer a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% per year, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look at our website.

Further Information

For more information about Evolutionary Neurogenomics and our lab please look at:

  • Frank Jacobs Lab 

For further questions or inquiries, please contact:

  • dr Frank Jacobs

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Applications may only be submitted online by clicking the link below.

Your application must include a CV (including contact details of two academic referees) and a letter of motivation. Please combine these documents in one single attachment and also mention the months (not just years) in your CV when referring to your education and work experience.
To enable us to process your application immediately, please quote vacancy number 19-564 and the position you are applying for.

No agencies please

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