You will actively be involved and contribute in the daily execution of the research projects by providing your technical know-how, from in vitro assays to in vivo studies. You will evolve in a very dynamic and inter-disciplinary field, where communication skills will be a key value in an international team.
Background
Pediatric high-grade gliomas are largely fatal brain tumors in children that need innovation in treatment. The van Vuurden group conducts preclinical and clinical studies to translate novel therapeutic strategies to the clinic for the treatment of (pediatric) brain tumors. Most of the research lines investigate clinically relevant strategies to circumvent the blood-brain barrier, which is thought to be one of the major hurdles of current therapies. More specifically, diffuse midline gliomas are highly fatal, rare brain tumors located in the brainstem, that are mostly diagnosed in children around the age of 6-7 for which in recent decades no significant breakthroughs in therapy have been accomplished. Most patients die within the first year after diagnosis. The poor prognosis is mainly due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier that impedes drug extravasation, thus requiring novel drug delivery strategies.
For this purpose the Van Vuurden Research Group team at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology explores an innovative drug delivery strategy to circumvent the blood-brain barrier: microbubble and focused-ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier opening. Microfluidic setups aim to mimic drug pharmacokinetics in patients and using advanced microbubble pump systems, we aim to open the BBB in animal models of DMG.
Profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated research technician with:
- A bachelor (Dutch HBO degree, or equivalent) in life sciences, zoology, medical biology, or related field.
- A 5-year professional experience (at least) will be a plus.
- Clear experience in preclinical studies (license of laboratory animal science will be required: Dutch article 9 or article 13f2, or equivalent for foreign candidates).
- Concrete experience in cell culture, histopathology (standard tissue stainings, immunohistochemistry), (fluorescence) microscopy, molecular biology, flow cytometry, and protein analysis (western blot, ELISA) desirable.
- Software skills (e.g. MS Office, Prism, ImageJ) desirable.
- High communication skills with a perfect command of the English language, oral and written.
- High personal management skills: attention to details, capability to standardize protocols (and write standard operating procedures), flexibility, motivation to work in a multidisciplinary team and a teamwork mindset.
Our job offer
We offer a research technician position in an inspiring and multidisciplinary research environment. You will initially be appointed for a period of 1 year, with a possible extension to 2 or more years (full-time). Your gross monthly salary will depend on experience and background, starting in scale 45 with 8,33% gross monthly salary holiday allowance and 8,33 % end-of-year bonus. The Princess Máxima Center operates according to the collective labour agreement ‘cao algemene ziekenhuizen’.
Team and supervisors
Dr. John Bianco, PhD, is a neuroscientist developing novel drug delivery strategies to circumvent the blood brain barrier for effective drug delivery in animal models of high grade glioma. The successful candidate will work closely with him on a daily basis in developing novel treatment strategies both in vitro and in vivo.
Dr. Dannis van Vuurden, MD, PhD, is a pediatric oncologist and principal investigator in the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. He treats children with brain tumors and is group leader of the Van Vuurden on characterization and innovation of treatment for high-grade glioma and DIPG.
The Princess Máxima Center
The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology is an integrated hospital and research institute, which integrates healthcare, research and education on pediatric cancer, in a single location in Utrecht. Our institute aims to provide the highest level of care for all children with cancer, with optimal quality of life. The center brings together the best possible care and scientific research, creating a unique interdisciplinary institute for pediatric oncology in Europe.
Contact
Are you our new colleague? We are looking forward to meeting you! You can apply directly by clicking on the orange button on this page. This vacancy will be listed up to and including December 15th, 2023. Do you have any questions or would you like more information about this position? Please contact Dr. Dannis van Vuurden at +31(0)88 9727272. Dannis will be happy to tell you more!
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