PhD position to study macrophages in early liver metastasis

at  Erasmus MC

JOB DESCRIPTION

Mac4Me (Macrophage Targets for Metastatic Treatment) is a pan-European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DC) aimed at understanding the specific tumour cell-immune host interactions at the metastatic site to identify new immune targets. Mac4Me will use animal-free organ-on-chip (OoC) systems to recapitulate early liver, bone and brain metastasis of cancer developing across our life, such as neuroblastoma, breast and prostate cancer. Data from these preclinical models will be integrated with real-world clinical data using AI approaches to identify new immune targets. Mac4Me offers a unique and innovative research training programme comprising both scientific knowledge and transferable skills and integrating participatory science principles as a starting point.
At Erasmus MC, the candidate will focus on establishing a standardized human liver organ-on-chip integrated with (age-relevant) organ-resident and blood monocyte-derived macrophage population and identify macrophage and matrix changes induced upon interaction with prostate or breast cancer cells. In collaboration with our Mac4Me partners compounds to target this immune interaction will be selected and tested in the model. The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration with other Mac4Me candidates that focus on the brain and bone metastasis OoC in Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. Intensive collaboration and short-stay research visits to our partners in Italy, the UK, Ireland and France are planned as an integral part of the project. The research will be complemented with a multidisciplinary educational agenda shared by all Mac4Me candidates.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

You are a highly motivated international candidate with a university MSc degree. At the time of recruitment, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment. You have received excellent scientific training in the field of Biomedical Sciences, Medicine or a related field.
A successful candidate will have an interest in the molecular biology of (prostate and breast) cancer and macrophages. Experience with (3D) cell culture techniques will be considered a strength. Our potential new colleague should have outstanding theoretical and experimental research skills, and a pronounced team spirit. A strong command of (scientific) English in speech and writing is essential. A certificate of conduct from the candidate is a condition for the appointment.

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Please refer the Job description for details