PhD Position in Brain Organoid Development and Disease Modeling
Join an EU-funded Marie Curie network to advance human brain organoid research and disease modeling at the Princess Máxima Centrum.
Best for:Best for ambitious Master’s graduates with hands-on wet-lab experience in developmental biology, organoid culture, or disease modeling, eager to contribute to translational neuroscience research.
Overview
This PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe MSCA-funded VISI-ON-BRAIN project, aiming to develop innovative in vitro and in silico tools to study human brain development and disease. Based at the Princess Máxima Centrum in Utrecht, the successful candidate will work in the Artegiani & Hendriks group, employing cutting-edge techniques like organoid culture, CRISPR-Cas engineering, and transcriptomic analyses. The role focuses on understanding mechanisms linking brain development and disease, contributing to translational pediatric oncology research. Applicants should have a strong background in developmental biology or related fields and a passion for interdisciplinary science.
What you'll do
- Develop and optimize human brain organoid cultures using pluripotent stem cells and tissue-derived methods to study brain development and disease mechanisms.
- Conduct transcriptomic analyses to investigate molecular pathways underlying brain disorders and developmental processes.
- Apply CRISPR-Cas engineering techniques to manipulate organoid models for disease-specific research.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate in vitro and in silico biomedical tools for translational research.
- Publish findings in high-impact scientific journals and present research at international conferences.
- Contribute to the EU-funded VISI-ON-BRAIN project, fostering collaboration across European research institutions.
- Participate in lab meetings, training sessions, and scientific discussions to enhance research outcomes.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Developmental Biology, or a related field.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; excellent proficiency (written and spoken)
Instruction: English
- Strong theoretical and hands-on experience in wet-lab techniques, including cell culture and basic molecular biology.
- Familiarity with organoid culture methods (pluripotent stem cell and tissue-derived).
- Experience with bioinformatic tools for transcriptomic data analysis (preferred but not mandatory).
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills in an international research environment.
- High motivation and commitment to pursuing a career in scientific research.
- Must have completed a Master’s degree or equivalent.
- Following MSCA mobility rules, the candidate may not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date.
- No age restrictions mentioned.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-01 (Europe/Amsterdam)
Applicants must submit their CV, a cover letter, and contact details of at least two supervisors through the Princess Máxima Centrum’s institutional research portal. The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Contact details of at least two supervisors
Contact
Benedetta Artegiani / Daan Hendriks· Supervisors
b.a.artegiani@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl, d.f.g.hendriks-7@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl
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