Postdoc position on the neurotoxicity of pesticide mixtures

Do you have PhD in biomedical or developmental biology (or similar) and hands-on experience with Caenorhabditis elegans? If you are interested in environmental toxicology and neurodegeneration, apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) for a postdoc position on the neurotoxicity of pesticide mixtures.

Your function

We are being exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of pesticides from our environment. There is great concern that these exposures contribute to the increase in neurodevelopmental diseases in humans, such as Parkinson’s Disease. Novel approaches are urgently needed to predict the effect of pesticides on the developing brain, and to explore their impact on neurodegeneration.

In this 2-year postdoctoral project, you will use the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to explore the impact of environmentally relevant pesticides on neurodevelopment and the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. You will combine microscopy, developmental assays, and molecular biology techniques, such as RNAseq to achieve this goal. Additionally, you will work with chemists to relate the adverse effects to external and internal pesticide concentrations, thus contributing to the development of (quantitative) Adverse Outcome Pathways. You will develop a longitudinal imaging platform to assess the development of α-synuclein aggregation, a key hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease, throughout the lifespan of the worm. As C. elegans has a relatively simple nervous system, the use of the nematode to gain additional information as to how pesticides impact neurobehavior, motor function and cognition is foreseen.

For this project, they are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on location at the VU in Amsterdam. You will be part of the Environmental Health and Toxicology group of A-LIFE within the VU, under the supervision of Dr. Samantha Hughes. Together with the team, you will present your results at national and international conferences, and in relevant scientific journals.

Your duties

  • You will work in the lab with Caenorhabditis elegans to explore the impact of pesticide mixtures on neurodevelopment.
  • Design and run the experiments to elucidate the impact of pesticides on (neuro)development and neurodegeneration
  • Organise your work independently
  • Communicate the results in a transparent and professional manner
  • Supervise undergraduates and PhD students, where appropriate

Your profile

  • You have a PhD in (applied) biology, biochemistry, developmental biology, or a related field
  • You have experience working with C. elegans
  • You have good wet lab experimental skills, with experience in molecular and cell biology essential
  • You are highly motivated, proactive and dedicated
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
  • A team player who can work independently in an international team

Interested

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact Dr. Samantha Hughes, Assistant Professor at s.hughes@vu.nl

You can submit your application via the application button and by uploading the following documents:

  • a letter in which you describe your abilities and motivation for applying to the position
  • a detailed curriculum vitae with two or three references

Submitting a diploma, a reference check and an assessment are part of the application procedure.

The application deadline is 6th December 2024, for more information you can visit the University’s webpage.