PhD position of retinal organoids on the chip

The candidate will be affiliated at the Department of Ophthalmology and perform experiments at the Department of Human Genetics. The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Zohreh Hosseinzadeh.

The Department of Ophthalmology of the Radboud University Medical Center is a global leader in the field of multifactorial and genetic retinal eye diseases. The research of the department is focused on retinal forms of blindness that affect large numbers of patients worldwide, especially inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our aim is to develop personalized treatment and prevention options using metabolomics, natural history studies and genetic profiles combined with imaging parameters, and artificial intelligence.

The Department of Human Genetics is divided in multiple division all well known worldwide. The patient care (division clinical genetics) and genetic diagnostics (division genome diagnostics) performed within our department is hosted by an official and acclaimed Centre for Clinical Genetics. The division genome research performs groundbreaking research into the relationship between genes and diseases, as well as therapy development, notably concerning blindness and deafness, cancer, congenital anomalies, and mental handicaps. To identify and functionally characterize novel disease genes, we utilize a combination of biochemistry, genomics technologies, molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental systems such as iPSC model systems, Drosophila melanogaster, zebrafish and mouse.

Radboudumc is internationally renowned for its research and diagnostics on a variety of genetic disorders and the impact of personalized medicine. Both Departments offer an exciting working environment with enthusiastic people from many parts of the world, providing ample critical mass and a stimulating, collaborative atmosphere for high quality research.

Our ideal candidate:

• Completed education in biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, computational bioengineering/neuroscience, or related fields.
• Experience with cell culture or organoid differentiation and basic molecular biology.
• Familiarity with biomedical microfluidics.
• Basic programming skills (Python or MATLAB).
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams.
• Motivation to engage in both experimental and computational components.
• Highly desirable (not mandatory): experience with electrophysiology or MEA systems, knowledge of machine learning or signal processing, statistical knowledge.

Candidates should have a strong ambition to succeed in science, be result-oriented, and have strong communication skills (both orally and in writing) and a high English level to ensure efficient interaction within a multidisciplinary team. They should possess a critical scientific attitude and should be able to work both independently as well as in a team.

Please take this into account.

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).