The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology is a unique interdisciplinary institute that integrated specialized care, research, and education to deliver the best possible outcomes for children with cancer. Our mission is to cure every child with cancer, with optimal quality of life. By fostering close collaboration between care and research, we aim to increase cure rates, while reducing side effects.
About us
The Belderbos lab, established in 2020, focuses on translational hematopoietic stem cell biology. Our mission is to understand the fundamental mechanisms by which human hematopoietic stem cells regenerate blood and translate this knowledge into therapies to improve hematopoiesis in children with bone marrow failure, or in those undergoing stem cell transplantation. To achieve this mission, we employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating single-cell technologies, in vitro assays and clinical studies in pediatric patients.
Our team consists of two postdocs, four PhD students, two wet-lab technicians and a bioinformatician. We closely collaborate with the single-cell genomics facility, with whom we have shared lab meetings, with clinicians and with several other (inter-)national research groups. Core values in our group include collaboration, curiosity and clinical impact. Our team is committed to fostering a supportive culture that encourages each team member to excel and contribute their unique talents.
The project
As a bioinformatician, you will play a pivotal role in a project funded by Landsteiner Foundation for Blood Transfusion Research (LSBR), aimed at dissecting hematopoietic regeneration after transplantation at the single-cell level. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a life-saving therapy for various diseases, including leukemia. Its effect relies on donor hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to regenerate blood and immune cells in the recipient. Despite its widespread clinical use in over 40.000 patients annually, the exact mechanisms by which transplanted HSPCs regenerate blood remain unclear. Our group aims to address this question. Hereto, we apply various single-cell technologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing, CITE-seq and spatial transcriptomics, to patient-derived samples, with the goal of identifying single-cell states or trajectories that can predict HCT outcome and guide intervention.
What to expect?
As a bioinformatician in our group, your key responsibilities will include:
- Analyzing and interpreting single-cell multi-omics (RNA, CITE-seq, single-cell WGS) and spatial transcriptomics datasets to investigate the dynamics of post-transplant BM regeneration in pediatric cancer patients
- Implementing and optimizing novel data-analysis pipelines, particularly for spatial transcriptomics
- Collaborating with PhD students and postdocs to present your results at (inter-)national conferences and peer-reviewed journals
Profile
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic bioinformatician to join our team. Ideal candidates will possess:
- A PhD degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent
- Demonstrated experience in bioinformatics and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis
- Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python and bash
- A keen interest in translational childhood cancer research
- Team player, who enjoys contributing to a multidisciplinary team
- A desire to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies
What we offer
We offer a challenging position in an international, multidisciplinary research environment, which combines clinical oncology, stem cell biology and single-cell genomics. The position is for 0.8-1.0 fte, based on a 36-hour workweek. Your gross monthly salary will be based on your experience and background (FWG 50 BSc, FWG 55 MSc, FWG 60 PhD) with a minimum of €3.199,- euro and maximum of €5.746,- gross per month for a full-time working week.
You will start on a temporary position for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance. The Princess Máxima Center operates according to the collective labor agreement ‘CAO algemene ziekenhuizen’. The starting date is flexible, with a target in Q1 of 2025.
Contact
Are you excited about this position? We are looking forward to meeting you! You can apply directly by clicking on the orange button on this page. We invite you to apply as soon as possible, since we will close the vacancy when we have found a suitable candidate. Please provide:
- An up-to-date resume/CV
- A short motivation letter (maximum one A4 page)
- Contact information for 2-3 references
For more details about this position or to arrange an informal chat, please contact Dr. Mirjam Belderbos. Mirjam will be happy to provide more information.
Note: This vacancy is open to all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
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