Key Skills

Job Description

Do you want to find out why dopamine neurons die in Parkinson's disease – and how to stop it? Working at the UvA Join Us! We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate for a project on the ubiquitin-dependent control of neuronal survival in Parkinson's disease (PD). Neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta are selectively lost as PD progresses. Our work on the BCL2 protein family has identified MCL1 as a weak link in the survival of these neurons: it is a short-lived protein whose level is set by ubiquitin-dependent degradation and by its antagonist NOXA. Do you want to find out which enzymes set that balance, and whether they can be used to keep dopamine neurons alive? Then this project is for you. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you recognise yourself in the role but do not meet every listed preference, we encourage you to apply. A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week. 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours. Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes. Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures. Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events. All About This Vacancy This is what you will do You will identify the E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that control MCL1 and NOXA turnover in dopaminergic neurons, and determine what happens to neuronal survival when you manipulate them. The backbone of the project is interaction proteomics: you will perform (co-) immunoprecipitations from neuronal cell models and brain tissue followed by quantitative LC-MS/MS, and you will run that workflow from end to end – from sample preparation to data analysis and interpretation. Candidate regulators are then validated biochemically, in cellular and in vivo models of PD, and finally in human post-mortem midbrain tissue, so that you can connect a molecular mechanism to the disease itself. You will work in a group that combines molecular neuroscience with proteomics and neuropathology, and you will have the room to shape the direction of your own project. Tasks and responsibilities: complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years; contribute to the design of experiments, perform them, and analyse and interpret the results, with a focus on (co-)immunoprecipitation and quantitative mass spectrometry; perform in vivo and ex vivo rodent experiments within the scope of your animal licence and the approved project licence; keep accurate records by thoroughly documenting and organising your work; take a leading role in writing manuscripts and present your results at (inter)national scientific meetings; participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training programme; assist in teaching and co-supervise junior scientists (technicians, BSc/MSc students). What We Ask Of You You enjoy hands-on experimental work, and you keep going when an experiment fails: you look for the reason rather than repeating it unchanged. You plan, so that long workflows such as a proteomics experiment are prepared well before the instrument time starts. You are precise in documenting what you do. You discuss your data critically in lab meetings, you ask for help when you need it, and you are a nice colleague in an interdisciplinary team of scientists. Your experience and profile: MSc in molecular biology, biochemistry, neurobiology or a related field; hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, western blotting and (co-) immunoprecipitation; experience with the complete mass spectrometry workflow, from sample preparation and digestion through LC-MS/MS acquisition to data analysis and interpretation; a laboratory animal science certification (Article 9, rat/mouse) that is valid in the Netherlands at the start of the appointment; good knowledge of signal transduction and neuronal cell biology; good project and time management skills, enabling you to meet the project's deadlines for analyses, reports and other deliverables; good analytical, writing and presenting skills; fluency in English, both written and spoken, and the willingness to learn Dutch (in case you are not a Dutch native speaker). This Is What We Offer You A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week, ranges from € 3,204 in the first year to € 4,051 in the fourth year of employment (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Promovendus is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable. Curious about our extensive secondary benefits package? You can read more about it here. Your place at the UvA You will work in this team The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programmes. Research revolves around four main themes: Cell & Systems Biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences. You will be embedded in the Molecular Neuroscience group. The mission of the group is to understand the fundamental molecular processes that underlie neurodevelopment and neuronal function in health and disease, with a focus on the midbrain and, more recently, on the cell survival machinery of dopamine neurons in relation to PD. Dr. Lars van der Heide will act as your daily supervisor and Prof. dr. Marten Smidt as your promotor. For the validation in human post-mortem tissue, we collaborate with Dr. Anke Dijkstra and the Netherlands Brain Bank; the mass spectrometry work is carried out in collaboration with Dr. Gertjan Kramer. About The Faculty Of Science Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, whether it concerns elementary particles, the birth of the universe, or how the brain functions. The Faculty has a student population of approximately 8,000 students, as well as 1,800 staff members working in education, research, or support services. Important to know Your application & contact If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the red button. We accept applications until and including 13 October 2026. If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact: Dr. Lars P. van der Heide, [email protected] Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file): a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience; a letter of motivation; the names and email addresses of two references who can be contacted. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure. (for details: national knowledge security guidelines) Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture. Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Core Responsibilities

Identify and validate the E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes that regulate MCL1 and NOXA turnover, and investigate their effects on dopaminergic neuron survival in Parkinson’s disease models and human post-mortem tissue. Conduct interaction proteomics from experimental design through quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis, document and present findings, contribute to manuscripts, assist with teaching, and complete a PhD thesis.

Requirements

Applicants must have an MSc in molecular biology, biochemistry, neurobiology, or a related field, hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and the complete mass spectrometry workflow. They must also hold a Netherlands-valid Article 9 rat/mouse laboratory animal science certification at appointment start, and demonstrate knowledge of signal transduction and neuronal cell biology, strong project and communication skills, and fluency in English.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Plan
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Partner Leave
• Social Engagement Leave
• Professional Development and Training
• Potential 30% Tax Ruling