PhD candidate Lung Diseases

You have 2 more days to apply

Are you passionate about developing groundbreaking therapies for patients with the inherited lung and liver disease alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)? At the PulmoScience Lab within the Department of Pulmonology, you will have the unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research and collaborate with leading international experts. By combining advanced cell culture models like Lung-on-Chip with state-of-the-art techniques such as transcriptomics, you will contribute to the development of new, life-changing treatments for these patients.

About your role

As a PhD student, you will investigate the crosstalk between microvascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells in the lungs, and assess the role of alpha-1 polymers in the repair and regeneration of alveolar epithelium in the context of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). This genetic disease results in the polymerization of the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein in hepatocytes, leading to insufficient circulating AAT in the blood and lungs. Clinically, this manifests as both liver cirrhosis and severe lung tissue damage (emphysema) at a young age.

However, so far, restoring AAT levels in the blood provided no protection for the lungs. You will work with our latest advanced cell culture models to further unravel AATD pathophysiology, and to investigate how alveolar recovery can be promoted in AATD patients, contributing to the development of new therapies.

Your main tasks will include:

  • Conducting experiments to analyze microvascular endothelial function and alveolar epithelial cell function in the context of AATD.
  • Integrating various cell culture models and analysis techniques (such as proteomics and scRNA sequencing) into the experimental set-up.
  • Translating research findings to the clinic (from “bench-to-bedside”).

You will play a crucial role in increasing knowledge about AATD and developing new treatment options for this serious genetic condition.

About your workplace

LUMC is a leading academic medical center, globally recognized for its innovative approach to medical care and research. Within the PulmoScience Lab of the Department of Pulmonology, you will work in a multidisciplinary team conducting preclinical, and basic scientific research. The Department of Pulmonology is a European reference center for AATD and influences guidelines with its clinical research. During your work, you will be mentored by experienced researchers and pulmonologists, with the aim of further developing your scientific career and expertise in fundamental and translational research.

About you

You are an enthusiastic and motivated colleague who can work independently as well as part of a team. As a PhD candidate in Pulmonology, you are eager, motivated, and strong in communication. You aim for concrete results in your research and are creative when solving problems. You also have strong analytical skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Additionally, you have:

  • A completed Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or a related field.
  • Affinity with and experience in experimental research.
  • Experience with cell culture is a plus.
  • Strong analytical and academic writing skills to interpret research data and develop it into scientific publications.

Our offer

Driven by health; that's our mission. This applies not only to our patients but also to our employees. We strive to provide a safe, inclusive and equitable work environment, with a focus on talent development and connected leadership. In order to be able to continue to learn and develop, we offer internal and external training. You are also entitled to an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), holiday allowance, sports budget, bicycle scheme, home office allowance and an excellent commuting allowance. Furthermore, as an employee of LUMC, you are also affiliated with the ABP pension fund. This means that 70% of your pension premium is paid by LUMC, leaving you with a higher net salary. Nice, right?

See all employment conditions of the LUMC.

What do we represent?

As an academic medical center, LUMC strives to have a workforce that is a good reflection of society. We are committed to the highest quality in health care, education and (international) research, in which diverse perspectives are essential. Sustainability is also a high priority for us: we are committed to a healthy future, not only for people, but also for the planet. In line with these values, we aim to be a creative and inspiring place to work, where everyone feels at home, safe and valued. It's all about who you are and what you bring to contribute, regardless of your background. Together, we work toward a sustainable and inclusive future, both for the people around us and for the world we live in. Together, we are LUMC.  

More information

  • As a PhD candidate, your salary will be between €3,108 and €3,939 gross per month (scale Pro, CAO UMC). These figures are based on a full-time position.
  • The procedure involves several stages, with several candidates being invited for an interview. Spending a day at the PulmoScience Lab is among the options. Detailed information on the further course of the application process will follow soon.
  • Applications from employment/recruitment agencies will not be considered.