English speaking vacancies in Holland: VACANCY: PhD student for breast cancer drug research

Thursday 16 August 2012

VACANCY: PhD student for breast cancer drug research

PhD student at the Leiden / Amsterdam Center for Drug Research

Location	Gorlaeus laboratories Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden
Function types	PhD positions
Scientific fields	Natural Sciences, Health
Hours	38.0 hours per week
Salary	maximum € 2612
Education	University Graduate
Job number	12-179
Translations	en

Apply for this job within 11 days

Job description

The project is funded by a Dutch Cancer Foundation (KWF) and is entitled ‘Novel Protein Kinases Targets In IGF-1 and EGF Receptor - Mediated Drug Resistant Breast Cancer’.

Treatment of breast cancer has improved with the introduction of anti-estrogen therapy. Yet a large percentage (>40%) of tamoxifen treated breast cancers eventually become resistant to tamoxifen, and also resistance to other anti-estrogens has been reported. Resistance to anti-estrogens has been linked to increased expression and/or activation of various receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as EGFR, IGF-1R and HER2. This may lead to downstream phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor and insensitivity to the antagonistic action of anti-estrogens.
We have recently established relevant models for anti-estrogen resistant breast cancer by ectopically expressing the human EGFR and IGF-1R in human MCF7 breast cancer cells. When stimulated with EGF or IGF1 respectively, these cells are almost completely resistant to inhibition of estradiol-induced cell proliferation by tamoxifen and fulvestrant. Using genome-wide protein kinase and phosphatase siRNA-based screening we identified >35 kinases and phosphatases in MCF7/IGF-1R cells that reversed the IGF1-induced tamoxifen resistance. These candidates may represent potentially novel drug targets for anti-estrogen resistant breast cancer. The goals of this project are to characterize these novel drug targets with respect to their role in tamoxifen resistance, breast cancer cell proliferation and survival in 3D models in vitro, and to validate the role of a selected number of these drug target candidates in control of cell proliferation, tamoxifen resistance, and tumor progression in vivo, in xenograft tumor models in mice.

Requirements

We seek a talented and highly motivated candidate with proven experience in cell and molecular biology, cell signalling and light microscopy. The candidate should have a MSc degree in (Medical) Biology, Life Science Technology, Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences or any other closely related discipline. Experience or affinity with image analysis is recommended.

Conditions of employment

The candidate will work within the Division of Toxicology and the Leiden Cell Observatory. We are situated in the Gorlaeus Laboratories on the Science Park Leiden. Currently, 30 researchers including technicians, PhD students, and Postdocs work in the Division of Toxicology. The candidate will become part of a young and dynamic team of around 30 PhD students and postdocs with a strong expertise in and signal transduction, breast cancer models, and live cell imaging. We offer a vibrant, research-driven work environment with emphasis on team spirit, excellence, and skills development.
Appointment will be according to the terms of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), for the duration of one year with an extension of three years after positive evaluation. The salary will be set on € 2042,- per month in the first year up to € 2612,- in year four. An appointment with Leiden University includes a pension build-up and facilitates other benefits such as an annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.
All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered though other PhD training networks.

Organisation

Leiden University

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.
Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.

Additional information

For more information, please contact Prof.dr. Bob van de Water (telephone: +31 (0)71-5276223; email: water_b@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl), or Dr. John Meerman (telephone: +31 (0)6-53970982; email: meerman@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl).
Additionally, you can visit the websites of the Division of Toxicology, the Faculty of Science, and the LACDR: toxicol.lacdr.gorlaeus.net; www.science.leidenuniv.nl; www.lacdr.nl. More information on employment at Leiden University can be found at: www.medewerkers.leidenuniv.nl; or www.leidenuniv.edu.

More information about employer Leiden University on AcademicTransfer. Direct link to this job opening: www.academictransfer.com/14905

Found here: http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/LEI/vacancy/14905/lang/en/

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