PhD neural organoids to predict neuroinvasive viruses MSCA-DN

For rapid control of virus outbreaks, fast availability of antivirals is a major bottleneck. In DETECTIVE, innovative models will be used for setting up an antiviral testing pipeline without the need for animals models.

This doctoral project will focus on developing patient-derived organotypic models to test and optimise broad-spectrum antiviral therapies. Organotypic models, such as human organoids, are miniaturised in vitro organ cultures that mimic the human tissue-specific context. In this project, gut organoid models co-cultured with immune cells will be used to determine antiviral efficacy of available broadly acting antiviral against a scala of outbreak viruses such as enteroviruses and West-Nile virus.

Patient-specific responses to virus infections will be assessed with integrated -omics techniques, and patient-dependent responses to antiviral therapy will be used to develop personalized medicine regimens for the future. With this project we will set the stage for an innovative human antiviral testing pipeline for viral outbreaks.

At the Amsterdam UMC, DETECTIVE is looking for a doctoral candidate (DC) to work on Work Package 1. As DC6, your objectives are:

• To establish patient-derived gut organoid mucosa models
• To test a panel of broadly acting antiviral compounds in patient-derived gut mucosa organoid models
• To identify virus and host factors determining treatment response by transcriptomics and proteomics

You will be supervised by:

• Dr. Katja Wolthers
• Dr. Adithya Sridhar

You will undertake international secondments within the DETECTIVE network, including:

• the Dutch Public Health Institute (Utrecht, Netherlands)
• the University of Tampere (Tampere, Finland)

These secondments will provide exposure to both academic and industrial research environments and offer opportunities to develop complementary scientific and transferable skills.

Requirements

• master’s degree in biomedical sciences, infection, immunity or related fields;
• experience working with mammalian cell culture, qPCR, and bioinformatics is preferred;
• experience working with stem cells and organoids is desirable;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level);
• an interest in self-development and working in a multidisciplinary research environment.

MSCA eligibility requirements

• Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment (1 March 2027).
• Doctoral degree requirement: Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.

Conditions of employment

• A contract at Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years.
• The opportunity to work on large-scale and in-house research with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• Interdisciplinary network-wide training schools (one week each): Foundations in Virology, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology; Advanced Integration of Scientific, Diagnostic and Public Health Virology; Translational Virology and connecting Academia, Clinical Practice and Public Health for Pandemic Preparedness.
• Individually tailored career development plan and personal empowerment program.
• Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3.217 to € 4.077 gross for full-time employment (depending on education and experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of the gross annual salary.
• 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs. If you travel by foot, bicycle, or car, a mileage allowance of €0.21 per km applies (up to a maximum of 40 km one way by car).
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Employer

Amsterdam UMC

Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location AMC, houses the university hospital and the medical faculty of the University of Amsterdam, as well as several research institutes. The OrganoVIR Labs in uniquely embedded within both the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention (MMI) and the Department of Pediatrics and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Immunity and Infection institute (AI&I), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D), and Emma Centre for Personalized Medicine (Emma CPM). This multidisciplinary positioning fosters close collaboration between fundamental, translational, and clinical research.

The OrganoVIR Labs has access to various advanced facilities, including level 3, state-of-the-art molecular biology and culture facilities and access to high-throughput sequencing. Through its integration with the Department of Paediatrics, OrganoVIR Labs also benefits from extensive clinical expertise in the care of children with a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions. The department’s multidisciplinary approach and extensive clinical expertise support the translation of research findings into improved outcomes for pediatric patients.

Additional information

Complete the DETECTIVE Application Form and provide the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page)
• Details for two references, you can add these later on in the portal after you uploaded your cv and motivation letter.

Application must be submitted by 8 October 2026.

Together @ Amsterdam UMC

Amsterdam University Medical Center is a leading medical center that combines complex high-quality patient care, innovative scientific research and education of the next generation committed health care professionals. Together we discover the healthcare of tomorrow.