"PhD Position in Health Sciences"

Utrecht University

Institution: Utrecht University
Faculty: Veterinary Medicine
Department: Biomolecular Health Sciences
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Hours: Full-time (36–40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: 18 January 2026
Contact: Prof. Femke Broere – f.broere@uu.nl

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Position Overview

• Develop immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases using human-based systems without animal models.
• Work with 3D culture systems and organ-on-a-chip platforms.
• Focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) immune regulation.
• Collaborate with academic partners and industry (Mimetas, Genmab, Maastricht UMC+).
• Enroll in the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) – Infectious Diseases & Immunology programme.

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PhD Project Options

PhD 1: Lymph Node-on-a-Chip

• Set up co-culture of multiple immune cell types in a physiologically relevant environment.
• Validate tissue-like structure and functional immune responses (microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA).
• Screen novel immunotherapies using patient-derived material.

PhD 2: Regulatory T Cells in RA

• Clone TCRs from stress antigen-specific regulatory T cells into reporter systems.
• Co-culture primary and reporter cells to investigate acquisition of regulatory function.
• Stratify RA patient cohorts and screen novel stress-associated T cell ligands for immune regulation.

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Candidate Profile

• MSc in Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Curious, proactive, structured, and organized.
• Fluent in English; willing to work in an international environment.
• Prior experience with molecular cloning, cell culture, 3D organoids, or flow cytometry is advantageous but not required.

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Offer / Benefits

• Contract: Initially 12 months, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation.
• Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross/month (full-time, CAO NU P scale).
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• Pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment options.
• Professional development and support for personal growth.

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About Utrecht University & Ombion

• Ombion Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation focuses on accelerating biomedical research without animal testing.
• Collaborative, methodologically diverse, and interdisciplinary research environment.
• Strong focus on training the next generation of immunologists and translational impact.

Apply