"PhD candidate 'Preparation and imaging of masked antibody-drug conjugates'"

Job Summary

We are looking for an ambitious PhD candidate to investigate the safety and efficacy of newly developed masked antibody-drug conjugates (mADCs). As a PhD candidate, you will develop the mADCs at Wageningen University and test them on in vitro and in vivo models at Radboudumc Nijmegen. Studies will include masking of ADCs, radiolabeling of the mADCs, in vitro cell binding studies, and animal studies to investigate the tumor and normal tissue targeting properties. Finally, the anti-tumor efficacy will be tested in cell culture and animal studies. The project is funded by the NWO Open Technology Programme and involves working in a multidisciplinary consortium including Wageningen University, Synaffix, Genmab, and EnzyTag.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform scientific research, including chemical modification of antibodies (such as radiolabeling), in vitro cell binding experiments, therapeutic efficacy assays, immunohistochemistry, and animal experiments (radionuclide imaging, therapy experiments).
• Analyze scientific data.
• Write scientific publications and present findings at (inter)national scientific meetings.
• Work in a consortium in close collaboration with Wageningen University and the biotech companies Synaffix, Genmab, and EnzyTag.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Enthusiastic and strong motivation to successfully complete a PhD.
• A masters degree in (Medical) Biology, Biomedical sciences, Molecular life sciences, or equivalent.
• A permit to work with laboratory animals (or willing to obtain this permit).
• A permit to work with radioactivity (or willing to obtain this permit).
• Sufficient knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry to perform bioconjugations on antibodies.
• Well-developed communicational and social skills directed towards working in a team.

What the Employer Offers

Fixed-term contract: 4 years. 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.