PostDoc project

Our department, in collaboration with Synerkine Pharma, work on fusion proteins of cytokines for the treatment of painful chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and want to investigate how they target the sensory system. For this 40 months PostDoc project you will use state-of-the-art molecular in vitro and in vivo techniques available at the Eijkelkamp group to improve and elucidate the activity of these fusion proteins.
This project aims to develop and assess different fusion proteins of cytokines on their ability to prevent and/or resolve painful chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in mice. You will determine the mechanism as to how these proteins modulate neuro-immune pathways and protect sensory neurons, while at the same time verifying the absence of a negative impact on the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agent to kill tumors. You will be embedded in the research group of Dr. Eijkelkamp within the CTI and collaborate with Synerkine Pharma B.V. and the research group of Dr. Kranenburg.
The project combines behavioral studies in (conditional knockout) mice with ex vivo/in vitro studies of sensory neurons and tumor organoids. You will identify the mechanisms of action by identifying the cells, receptors, and intracellular processes triggered by the fusion proteins using in vitro reporter systems, (primary) cell cultures, RNA sequencing and kinases activity assays. With these assays you will determine how these proteins trigger downstream signaling, protect neurons and inhibit neuro-inflammation and use this information to optimize the molecules.
We are part of the lively Center for Translational Immunology (CTI) that hosts all pain and immunological research performed in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU). The CTI has a broad base of experts in all aspects of (neuro)immunology: from autoimmune/inflammatory to cancer, from basic science to clinical application. The CTI and UMCU have multiple core facilities that you can use in this project, i.e. a flow cytometry core, protein production core and computational core facilities.
We invite highly motivated, independent PhD with proven interest and experience in neuro-immunology, cytokine biology, and/or cell and tumor biology to apply. In general, we positively value candidates that have experience with in vivo behavioral work, biochemistry background, flow cytometry, assays to study sensory neuron. We require that you are proficient in English. The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills and enjoys collaborative projects. Applicants should briefly explain to their interest when they apply in a brief (1 A4) motivation letter.