Postdoctoral Researcher Mechanisms Childhood in Groningen

Postdoctoral Researcher on Mechanisms of Childhood Asthma

Education: WO
Hours: 32 - 36 hours a week
Salary: € 3.724 - € 5.867
Closing date: June 24

Asthma Research Opportunity

Asthma often starts in childhood and is the most prevalent chronic disease in the Netherlands. We recently discovered a novel mechanism of the onset of asthma in children. Through our efforts, we aim to help all patients breathe freely. Within a ZON-MW funded VICI project, we investigate the mechanisms of childhood onset asthma using single cell RNA-sequencing and innovative cell culture techniques, with the goal of discovering novel leads to stop asthma from developing in young children.

Job Description

You will conduct investigations using pediatric cells and tissues collected through our research bronchoscopy program in children. Asthma will be described at single-cell resolution by characterizing the airway wall biopsies of children with single-nuclear cell sequencing. You will work closely with our postdoc bioinformatician to interpret these findings. Based on these results, you will study the role of asthma genes in airway epithelial cell culture models and test novel leads for intervention.

Working Environment

You will be part of a multidisciplinary research team within our Groningen Research Institute of Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), a world-renowned lung research institute. While the department of Pediatric Pulmonology will be your host institute, your work will be conducted at the Laboratory for Experimental Pulmonology and Inflammation Research (Medical Biology and Pathology, UMCG). You will be working in an energetic and enthusiastic team of more than 20 researchers from diverse backgrounds. The group has an extensive network both nationally and internationally. This project aligns closely with a large national initiative, OMBION-CPBT, focused on developing new approach methodologies (NAMs) based on cell culture models of patients.

What Do We Need

• An (almost) completed PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Experience with generation of single-cell datasets in a translational setting and/or cell cultures.
• Strong motivation for scientific research in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
• Excellent English presentation and writing skills.
• Ability to perform isolation of nuclei from airway wall biopsies of children.
• Willingness to contribute to the training and supervision of PhD students in our department.
• Team player and excellent communicator, with energy to pioneer and pursue novel findings.
• Track record in respiratory research is preferred.

What Do We Offer

This is a full-time vacancy (32-36 hours per week/1.0 FTE), starting September 2026. The position will be for two years. The maximum salary is € 5.867 per month. Additionally, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC). The UMCG offers an attractive working environment among inspired and committed scientists and a good package of primary and secondary employment conditions, such as study arrangements. UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy and, if necessary, provides a vaccination. For certain professions, a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) may be requested upon employment. We offer a postdoc salary at scale 10 for 32-36 hours per week. This is a unique, multidisciplinary working environment with many possibilities for personal development and building expertise in a diversity of research areas.

For Questions About the Position

Any questions? Do contact us.