PHD

PhD positions: HemoTwin-BD Reageer binnen 25 dagen Introduction section in AFAS: Within the phramework of a nationwide Dutch consortium, the Research department at Sanquin is looking for three PhD positions in Precision Hemostasis and Multi-Omics: Unravelling Proteoforms and the Bleeding Phenotype in Bleeding Disorders. Join the HemoTwin-BD Project! We are looking for three highly motivated PhD candidates to join HemoTwin-BD, an ambitious, nationwide, multidisciplinary research program aimed at transforming our understanding of bleeding variability in congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs) and bleeding disorders of unknown cause (BDUC). Patients with similar bleeding disorder diagnoses can experience remarkably different clinical outcomes. HemoTwin-BD aims to move bleeding disorder diagnostics beyond traditional disease classifications towards precision diagnostics and individualized treatment strategies by uncovering molecular mechanisms that drive bleeding severity. As a PhD student, you will contribute to our consortium by performing deep phenotyping based on state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics of plasma, platelets, and endothelial cells combined with advanced cellular models. We offer a diverse and multidisciplinary research environment. The HemoTwin-BD program brings together large national patient cohorts from the Dutch Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) and leading researchers in hemostasis, proteomics, bioinformatics, and clinical hematology within a nationwide Dutch consortium. During your PhD program you will work alongside fundamental researchers, clinicians, data scientists and specialized laboratory staff, offering a unique combination of patient care, state of the art techniques and insight in the molecular mechanisms of bleeding disorders. In addition to conducting high quality research, you will participate in a structured PhD training and supervision program, including a tailored portfolio of scientific and professional development courses. Available PhD Positions: PhD Position 1: VWF Variant Mapping in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) This PhD project aims to comprehensively characterize variant Von Willebrand factor (VWF) proteoforms and uncover how these variants influence bleeding phenotypes, VWF trafficking, and hemostatic function in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients. You will integrate advanced proteomics, genetics and patient-derived cellular studies to link molecular mechanisms with clinical outcomes. Objectives: • Map VWF proteoforms in plasma samples from VWD patients and reference populations, integrating proteomic, genetic, and clinical data. • Analyze longitudinal samples to explore age-related changes in VWF proteoform composition and their relation to bleeding severity. • Perform proteomic and functional studies in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) and platelets to investigate VWF trafficking, secretion, and multimer assembly. • Correlate variant incorporation into VWF multimers with cellular storage, secretion defects, and hemostatic function. Embedding: This project will be conducted in multidisciplinary collaboration between the Laboratory of Proteomics (Dr. Maartje van den Biggelaar) at Sanquin in Amsterdam and the department of Hematology (Dr. Ruben Bierings and Dr. Ferdows Atiq) at Erasmus MC Rotterdam. PhD Position 2: Coagulation Factor Proteoforms and Hemostatic Function This PhD project investigates how variant coagulation factor proteoforms influence secondary hemostasis, fibrinolysis, and bleeding severity across congenital bleeding disorders. Objectives: · Develop novel mass spectrometry-based strategies to profile coagulation factor proteoforms in plasma to investigate their contribution to coagulation and fibrinolysis · Investigate how proteoforms influence bleeding phenotypes and treatment responses in Hemophilia A/B, rare coagulation factor deficiencies and fibrinolytic disorders Embedding: This project will be conducted in multidisciplinary collaboration between the Laboratory of Proteomics (Dr. Maartje van den Biggelaar, Dr. Tirsa van Duijl) at Sanquin in Amsterdam and the department of Pediatric Hematology (Dr. Samantha Gouw) at Amsterdam University Medical Center in Amsterdam and the department of Hematology (Dr. Saskia Schols) at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen (Hemophilia Treatment Center Nijmegen-Eindhoven- Maastricht). PhD Position 3: Platelet disorders and Bleeding Disorders of Unknown Cause This project focuses on national cohorts of patients in whom current diagnostic strategies are insufficient: inherited platelet disorders and bleeding disorder of unknown cause. By integrating proteomic, clinical, and diagnostic data, the project aims to identify novel molecular mechanisms of bleeding, define biologically meaningful patient subgroups and improve bleeding risk stratification and predict treatment response. Objectives: • Multi-omic analyses of plasma, platelet, and endothelial protein profiles. • Identification of molecular signatures in platelet disorders and bleeding disorders of unknown cause (BDUC). • Development of machine learning models for patient stratification. • Integration of molecular and clinical data into predictive decision-support tools. Embedding: This project will be conducted in multidisciplinary collaboration between the Laboratory of Proteomics (Dr. Maartje van den Biggelaar, Dr. Arjan Hoogendijk) at Sanquin in Amsterdam and the department of Hematology (Dr. Floor Heubel-Moenen) at Maastricht University Medical Center in Maastricht and the Van Creveldkliniek (Dr. Rolf Urbanus) at Utrecht University Medical Center in Utrecht. What do you bring to the table? We are looking for candidates who are eager to excel as independent researchers while contributing to a collaborative team-science environment, working closely with clinicians, proteomics specialists, computational scientists, and fellow PhD researchers across the HemoTwin-BD consortium. Specifically, we request: • Recent Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Medicine, Biotechnology, Systems/Computational Biology or a related discipline. • Analytical thinking, strong interest in protein and cell biology and enthusiasm for integrating clinical and laboratory data. • Interest in machine learning, AI, and biomedical data integration. • Experience with proteomics, genomics and molecular biology is an advantage. • Experience with programming (e.g., R, Python) and statistical analysis is highly desirable. • Motivation to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment and good communication and writing skills in English. What do we offer you? • A fully funded PhD position for the duration of 4 years within a highly collaborative and internationally visible research program. • Mentorship from leading experts in hemostasis, proteomics, cell biology and data science. • Comprehensive training in advanced analytical technologies, including mass spectrometry, proteomics, patient-derived cell models, as well as in translational and clinical research. • Comprehensive training in the essential principles of Hemostasis, from endothelial function, platelets to coagulation factors and fibrinolytic proteases • Access to state-of-the-art proteomics, multi-omics, and computational platforms. • Exposure to cutting-edge clinical research and contribution to large cohort studies of patients with congenital bleeding disorders. • Participation in national and international conferences and scientific networks. • Participation in an extensive program of PhD courses for a broad spectrum of competencies. The offer includes: • This PhD position is remunerated according to the CAO UMC salary scale for PhD candidates, increasing annually from €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month (full-time); • 8.33% year-end bonus and 8.33% holiday allowance, flexibly payable; • 201 vacation hours with a full-time (36 hours) contract, of which 7 vacation days are part of your individual choice budget; • Generous travel reimbursement, starting from the first kilometer; • Every 3 years, € 2.000 development budget for your professional ambitions; • Collective agreements with various insurers; • Flexible benefits system where you can tailor your employment conditions; • Pension plan with Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn. We contribute 65%. More about our terms of employment can be found at Excited? For more information, you can contact Yessi Kristiani (Corporate Recruiter) via . Are you excited and do you see yourself in the profile of a PhD candidate? Apply directly with your CV and motivation via the application button below (A pre-employment screening and/or Certificate of Conduct (VOG) are part of the procedure). Are you interested and do you have questions about the positions? Please reach out to Dr. Maartje van den Biggelaar, Head of Proteomics Laboratory, Sanquin Amsterdam ( ). During the recruitment process, your CV and motivation letter may be shared with a consortium consisting of seven partner organizations. These parties are jointly involved in the selection and decision-making process regarding candidates. We handle your personal data with care and ensure that appropriate measures are in place to protect your privacy at all times. Acquisition is not appreciated. Sanquin does not accept unsolicited help from agencies for this vacancy. Resumes sent by agencies (in any form) to any employee of Sanquin without a valid written search request are considered the property of Sanquin, for which no compensation is owed in any way. Adresgegevens Plesmanlaan 125 1066 CX, Amsterdam Ben je enthousiast geworden en herken jij jezelf in het profiel? De bevestiging ontvang je per mail. Je CV en je motivatie worden als eerste beoordeeld. Voldoe je aan de belangrijkste functie-eisen? Dan worden je gegevens doorgestuurd naar de manager voor een review. Kom kennis maken Je ontvangt een uitnodiging voor een persoonlijk gesprek. Bij het merendeel van de vacatures bestaat deze ronde uit twee gesprekken, eventueel aangevuld met een assessment. Contractaanbod & screening Top, je hebt alle stappen succesvol doorlopen. We doen je een aanbieding die bij de functie en bij jouw wensen past. Deze aanbieding ontvang je schriftelijk en nu ligt de beslissing niet meer bij ons maar bij jou. Neem contact met ons op! Word jij onze nieuwe collega? 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