Are you interested in contributing to an understanding of the cellular mechanisms in neuropsychiatry? Do you want to use the latest cutting-edge electrophysiology research approaches, and pioneer novel viral tools to study living brain tissue? Do you enjoy collaborating with researchers from different disciplines and work in a larger consortium? Then this job may be for you.
What you will be doing?
Neuro-immune interactions in the brain play a central role in the aetiology of psychiatric disorders. The activity state of microglia is regulated by checkpoint proteins that upon engagement with neuronal binding partners release off-signals and mediate homeostasis and specific effector functions. The signaling ligand CD200 plays a critical role in maintaining microglia in a quiescent state and is known to regulate synaptic properties. To study the role of CD200-CD200R signaling you will utilize novel chemical probes, viral and genetic strategies that allow probing the localization and function at the nanoscale. Two-photon or confocal spinning-disk imaging are leveraged to characterize CD200-CD200R contributions to the neuron-microglial synapse interaction and homeostasis of cellular circuits in the brain. Ultimately, you will contribute to mechanistic, causal understanding of molecular- and cell biology of psychiatric symptoms.
Who are we looking for?
You are a highly motivated, self-driven candidate with a master’s degree in neuroscience, biomedicine, or relevant chemical science discipline. The ideal candidate will have experience with electrophysiology and/or live cell imaging techniques and preferably with a strong affinity for molecular biology. Programming skills will be very useful for your project. You have excellent capabilities for working independently and being a team player, comfortable communicating, presenting and writing in English.
What do we offer?
We offer ample opportunities for further development of knowledge and technical and personal skills through courses at the Academy and (inter)national conferences and good terms of employment (see further), mentoring, supervision and training, access to state-of-the art equipment and a stimulating international research environment.
The PhD project is embedded in the consortium institute for chemical neuroscience (iCNS), funded through a gravitation grant and aims to discover the molecular changes in the brain underlying psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. We offer an interdisciplinary research environment of neurobiologists, chemists, psychiatrists, and data scientists. You will be joining the neuron-glia research work package at the NIN–KNAW and benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructure. The Kole lab is equipped with high-end electrophysiological, optogenetic and high-speed one and two-photon imaging setups. The KNAW offers ample opportunities for development of knowledge, technical and personal skills through courses.
More information
General information about the NIN and iCNS, with all involved principal investigators, can be found on the websites nin.nl and i-cns.nl. For more specific information about this vacancy, please directly contact Prof. Dr. Maarten H.P. Kole (m.kole@nin.knaw.nl)
Application procedure
Please submit your application via the button Apply now, as soon as possible but before June, 15 2025. Please include your CV and an application letter, stating how your education, goals and interests align with this position. Please also include two reference letters in the application letter (in one file).
The selection procedure starts immediately and will continue until the vacancy is filled. If the vacancy is filled, the procedure will be closed prematurely.
About the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language.
Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 2.901 and the maximum salary is € 3.707 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP. The contract is first for one year and can be extended in case of proper functioning.
The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).
For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.
Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.
Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.
We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.
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