Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow in Riccardo Fodde’s Laboratory for Stem Cell and Cancer Research, at the Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (https://labriccardofodde.nl)
Job Description
In the framework of a collaborative project between the Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC) financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO Open Competition Domain Science – M), and following up on a key-discovery recently published by our laboratory at the Erasmus MC (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01801-y), we are looking for two post-doctoral researchers (full-time, 48 months) to identify and analyze the cell-of-origin of colon cancer arisen in the context of inflammation driven by Western-style dietary habits (see https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-024-00964-7).
The first position will be located in Rotterdam, at the Dept. of Pathology of the Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC), in the laboratory led by Riccardo Fodde (https://labriccardofodde.nl). The successful candidate has a PhD in cancer and/or stem cell biology, and a strong background in both computational (in silico) and experimental (wet-lab) molecular & cellular biology. S/he will supervise BSc/MSc/PhD students, will be supported by an experienced research technician / lab manager, will present findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed high-impact journals.
The second position will be located at the Division of Human Nutrition and Health in Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in Wageningen, the Netherlands, in the research unit led by Franzel van Duijnhoven (https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/franzel-van-duijnhoven.htm). Please contact Prof. van Duijnhoven for more information on this vacancy (franzel.vanduijnhoven@wur.nl).
The postdoctoral fellow located in Rotterdam will work closely with the principal investigator and lab research manager and will effectively interact with the the postdoc in Wageningen and other members from the WUR laboratory to achieve the experimental goals.
Our team closely collaborate with world-renowned experts in the gut stem cells and cancer biology. These collaborations offer the candidate access to cutting-edge techniques and skills for use in his/her research. Importantly, a key focus will be on developing the candidate’s career path in science.
Research Fields and Host Laboratory
The “Laboratory for Stem Cell and Cancer Research” is a research group located at the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The main research goal of our laboratory is the elucidation of the molecular and cellular basis of tumor initiation and progression, and the translation of these mechanisms into preventive and therapeutic intervention.
More in particular, the focus of our most recent research efforts is centered around the phenotypic plasticity of the cancer cell, i.e. its capacity to change its cellular identity as a function of its direct environment. The perfect analogy for phenotypic plasticity is with the literary figure of “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” where a bipolar dissociative identity type of disorder allows a single individual with a fixed genotype to acquire different phenotypes. A very good example of this was provided by our most recent (2024) publications where we show how chronic inflammation affects colon cancer initiation and progression.
We are a team of young (with the exception of the PI!) and enthusiastic scientists from different regions of the world working as master (MSc) or PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and research technicians.
The Department of Pathology of the Erasmus MC is comprehensive of different clinical and more fundamental research groups working at a broad spectrum of cancer types, and is supported by state-of-the-art tech- and computational-platforms.
The Erasmus MC is devoted to top clinical care and scientific research. We work on distinctive top education that appeals to ambitious, curious and talented students and that ties in with the care and health issues of tomorrow. And we work on internationally leading scientific top research that helps to understand, predict, treat and prevent diseases and conditions.
Erasmus MC has these three core tasks: patient care, research and education.
Job Qualifications
Applicants for the position in Rotterdam must fulfill the following requirements:
- PhD degree: Applicants must have been awarded a PhD in a relevant field.
- Research accomplishments: A solid track record of research achievement, including one or preferably more first-author research articles in in high-impact journals. Candidates with first-author manuscripts currently in review will also be equally considered.
- Start date: The candidate must be available to start not later than October 1, 2025.
- Expert knowledge & skills: The ideal candidate has a strong ‘hands-on’ background in both molecular & cell biology and computational biology.
- Interest & motivation: A strong passion and interest in the research outlined and the ability to independently design, execute, and analyze experiments.
- 6. Communication skills: Verbal and written communication skills in English are essential, as the candidate will be required to present findings to both internal teams and external collaborators.
- Collaboration & coordination: Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate and collaborate effectively with other research teams, both within and outside the institution.
- Adaptability & problem-solving: The ability to think critically and independently, while adapting to new challenges and solving complex problems in experimental design and execution.
- Organizational skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently, while maintaining attention to detail in experimental protocols and data management.
Please submit the following application materials to r.fodde@erasmusmc.nl:
All applications must be submitted in English.
- Curriculum vitae
- List of research activities, including full list of publications, achievements, etc.).
- Motivation letter.
- At least two names and addresses of external references.
