"Postdoc in Extracellular Vesicles as Mediators of Gut-Microbiome Interactions in Parkinson's Disease"

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join our group Microbiome Engineering at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, funded by Stichting ParkinsonFonds.

Join our research team! Our lab bridges clinical reality and experimental innovation to study gut microbiome function in health and disease. We focus on the small intestine (ileum) and colon, using access to ileostomy samples, Parkinson’s disease cohorts, and novel hydrogel/motility models. This approach allows us to reveal microbial processes that are difficult to capture with standard models, connecting patient biology with mechanistic insight.

What are you going to do? You will investigate how gut- and faecal-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their molecular cargo influence the microbiome in Parkinson’s disease. Using unique bacterial isolates from colonic, ileal, and fecal samples of PD patients and matched controls, you will explore EV-microbiome interactions, focusing on bacterial gene targets, growth, virulence, and abundance. Combining EV profiling, microbial culturomics, in vitro co-cultures, and patient-derived intestinal organoid models, your work will experimentally validate how EVs modulate bacterial function and gut physiology. This project aims to uncover EV-based biomarkers and mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal dysfunction in PD, ultimately offering new insights into the gut-brain axis and potential microbiome-targeted strategies for early diagnosis and intervention.

What do we require? Experience and profile: A recent Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (e.g., microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology), with demonstrated hands-on experience in EV biology, microbial culturomics, or gut-microbiome studies, and one or more first-author publications in a peer-reviewed journal. Hands-on experience in extracellular vesicle isolation, purification, and molecular profiling (e.g., RNA/protein cargo analysis, advanced imaging, analytical chemistry). Experience with in vitro microbial cultures ((an)-aerobic), co-culture systems, and gut-mimicking models is advantageous. A motivated and collaborative researcher with an open, proactive mindset, capable of taking ownership of their project while actively engaging with the research group and consortium, contributing to discussions, incorporating feedback, and supporting shared responsibilities. Lead manuscript preparation and contribute to scientific (and possibly societal) communication of the project’s results. Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Our offer: A temporary contract for 38 hours a week, preferably starting before December 2025, for a duration of 24 months, with a probation period of 2 months. The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €3,546 to €5,538 gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Where you will work: The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, the Swammerdam Institute carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavor, food & agricultural, and high-tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.