"PhD-position Mechanisms of protein aggregate clearance"

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research group investigating the cellular mechanisms that protect against (toxic) protein aggregation. A hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS and polyglutamine diseases like Huntington’s disease are protein aggregates in the central nervous system. Our group is studying how protein aggregate formation can be inhibited and how these toxic aggregates are cleared, important aspects to find potential disease ameliorating targets for future therapeutic approaches.

We recently discovered that protein aggregates are degraded via selective autophagy (aggrephagy), but only if they were fragmented beforehand (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-025-01747-1). In this study, we identified the players of the fragmentase that are involved, but the precise mechanism of action and the dynamics of this aggregate fragmentation are unsolved. This project builds on that recent discovery and aims at deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional properties of this fragmentase. We will investigate how the fragmentation of aggregates and the subsequent autophagic clearance cooperate and whether simultaneous stimulation of these processes increases aggregate clearance. This project will employ a combination of advanced cell biology, molecular biology, live-cell imaging, and proteomics approaches.

Your responsibilities will include:

• coordinating and carrying out a scientific research project.
• actively participating in multidisciplinary meetings and project teams.
• developing and optimizing experimental procedures and conduct literature review.
• supervising science rotations of Bachelor and Master students.

Requirements:

• MSc in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or biomedical sciences.
• Excellent oral and written command of English.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proactive and self-motivated and being comfortable working in an international research environment.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology experimental techniques.
• Experience with imaging techniques and image analysis software is a preference.

Conditions of employment:

Initially you will be appointed for one year with the option to extend for another three years; this prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress and academic development in the first year. A PhD training program is part of the agreement. Your salary is € 3.108,- gross per month in the first year and up to a maximum of € 3.939 gross per month in the last fourth year (scale PhD of 1st of July 2025). Additionally, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for University Medical Centres (CAO-UMC). You will have access to excellent research infrastructure, opportunities for international collaboration, and dedicated support for career development and scientific education.

Starting date: January 2026

Application:

Please send your application to us, by submitting the following documents:

• motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• copies of your diplomas and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• names and email addresses of at least two academic references.

Department:

Step into our world: at the UMCG, you will work within the Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMS; https://umcgresearch.org/w/biomedical-sciences) and be part of an inspiring work environment where fundamental research and developing patient treatments merge. You will work and be supervised in a small starting research group, that studies the fundamental mechanism underlying multiple neurological diseases and using state-of-the-art imaging and biochemical techniques. This research is embedded in the protein homeostasis group of the BMS and you will closely collaborate with researchers from other groups working on different aspects of protein homeostasis within our department and outside. As a PhD student at the UMCG you will be part of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences (GSMS) that is offering a high-quality training environment for developing professional and personal competencies.