Vacancy PhD position on Advancing Personalized iPSC-Based Models for Inherited Retinal Diseases

Job description

The eye is the window to the world around us. Losing vision either early or late in life is a significant burden for patients. Nowadays, molecular therapies for eye conditions are at the forefront of personalized medicine development. However, the eye is a very complex and specialized organ and the lack of relevant and robust models and functional readouts hampers the progress in understanding the disease mechanisms and designing effective treatments. Will you help us with further research?

In this project, we aim to create (personalized) cellular systems based on iPSC human cells to generate iPSC_derived retinal models in a dish to understand disease mechanism(s) and assess therapeutics. You will generate and investigate several retinal cell types derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from patients suffering from different inherited retinal diseases to find proper measurable functional readouts. As part of this project, you will utilize state-of-the-art techniques in stem cell biology, 3D organoid models, -omics, electrophysiology and advanced imaging. Your work will contribute to the development of personalized medicine solutions, paving the way for transformative treatments in eye care.

This project is part of the multidisciplinary consortium Lifelong VISION, a Gravitation project funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (2024- 2033), will develop new treatments against blindness.

Blindness is among the top 15 most disabling conditions and can manifest in many different ways. In young people, a hereditary retinal condition is the main cause, while in the elderly, age-related macular degeneration is a prominent reason. The Lifelong VISION program is developing a new generation of treatment strategies to prevent blindness: genetic therapies, treatments that target the disease pathways, and cell therapies. State of the art cell and animal models will be developed to test these new therapies in vitro and in vivo. The suitability of each patient group, and the optimal timing for therapeutic intervention is predicted using artificial intelligence, so that the right patient receives the right treatment at the right time. The innovative technologies and strategies developed for eye diseases within our project may serve as blueprints for other diseases and organs.

Ten research institutions participate in the Lifelong Vision project. The project is led by prof. dr. Caroline Klaver from Radboudumc and Erasmus MC; other institutions include Amsterdam UMC, University of Twente, Hubrecht Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, Tilburg University, and Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience.

Expected tasks:

• Plan and perform scientific experiments in an independent manner.
• Critically analyze data.
• Report results.
• Take a leading role in writing manuscripts.
• Present data at local, national and international scientific meetings.
• Supervise MSc and/or BSc students.
• Active participation in group discussions.

Place of work

You will be affiliated at the Department of Pediatrics and perform experiments at the Department of Human Genetics and will be supervised by Dr. Alex Garanto, Dr. Zohreh Hosseinzadeh, Prof. Ronald Roepman and Prof. Rob Collin. 

The Departments of Pediatrics and Ophthalmology of the Radboud University Medical Center are globally renown for their pediatric and adult contribution to rare diseases, especially inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa or Stargardt diseases. The Department of Human Genetics is divided in multiple divisions all well known worldwide. The patient care (division clinical genetics) and genetic diagnostics (division genome diagnostics) performed within our department is hosted by an official and acclaimed Centre for Clinical Genetics. The division genome research performs groundbreaking research into the relationship between genes and diseases, as well as therapy development, notably concerning blindness and deafness, cancer, congenital anomalies, and mental handicaps. To identify and functionally characterize novel disease genes, we utilize a combination of biochemistry, genomics technologies, molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental systems such as iPSC model systems, Drosophila melanogaster, zebrafish and mouse.

Together the two departments are conducting research activities that include genome-wide associations studies, development of eye-on-a-chip and patient-specific stem cell-derived retinal in vitro models, complement assays, and antisense oligonucleotide and CRISPR-cas9 technology.

Radboudumc is internationally renowned for its research and diagnostics on a variety of genetic disorders and the impact of personalized medicine. Both Departments offer an exciting working environment with enthusiastic people from many parts of the world, providing ample critical mass and a stimulating, collaborative atmosphere for high quality research.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare. 

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Profile

You must have completed a MSc degree in Molecular Life Sciences or a related field and have a solid theoretical background in molecular and cell biology, as well as hands-on experience with standard molecular techniques such as PCR, cloning, RT-PCR, western blotting, cell culture and stem cell technology, as well as statistical knowledge. Experience with coding, tissue engineering or electrophysyology will be a strong plus. 

You have a strong ambition to succeed in science, be result-oriented, and have strong communication skills (both orally and in writing) and a high English level to ensure efficient interaction within a multidisciplinary team. You have a critical scientific attitude and are able to work both independently as well as in a team. You have good organization skills.

Employment conditions

The anticipated starting date is November 1st/15th 2025. At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.108 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.939 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 1 September 2025. We will then contact you shortly. The first online job interviews take place on 11 September 2025. The second round in person job interviews takes place between 22-26 September 2025. We would appreciate it if you would take this into account.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to Alex Garanto, associate professor / research group leader. Use the Apply button to submit your application.