Are you ready to contribute to cutting-edge European biomedical innovation?
Amsterdam UMC invites ambitious and curious minds to apply for a fully funded PhD position in the transformative SMARTHEAL Project, an interdisciplinary research initiative focusing on intestinal wound healing, tissue immunology, and post-operative cancer recovery.
🌍 About the Project: Tackling Anastomotic Leaks in Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Each year, colorectal cancer affects over 1.93 million people worldwide. Surgery remains the mainstay treatment, but it comes with serious risks. A complication known as an anastomotic leak occurs in up to 20% of procedures, leading to higher mortality, cancer recurrence, and long hospital stays.
The SMARTHEAL project, funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC), is changing that. In collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Plio Surgical, and Amsterdam UMC, the project is developing a next-gen smart magnetic implant capable of sensing and healing — a true breakthrough in post-surgical care.
This PhD position is central to SMARTHEAL’s mission. You will explore wound healing, tissue response, immune signaling, and the microbiome using advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics, mass cytometry, and in silico modeling, with access to Amsterdam UMC’s top-tier imaging and omics platforms.
🧪 Your Role as a PhD Candidate
As part of a multidisciplinary international team, your responsibilities include:
- Leading experimental studies on intestinal wound healing and immune responses using animal and human tissue
- Applying bioinformatics tools and omics integration (RNA-seq, spatial technologies, etc.)
- Performing statistical analysis using R or similar tools
- Contributing to biomarker discovery for inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer recurrence
- Writing and publishing scientific papers as part of your PhD trajectory
- Supporting educational and training initiatives for students and research trainees
You’ll be based in the Dept. of Pediatric Surgery and the Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Disease, two pioneering units in translational medical science.
🧬 Candidate Profile
We’re looking for a motivated, collaborative scientist who is ready to grow. You should have:
- MSc or MD in (bio)medicine, biology, or biomedical sciences
- Interest in mucosal immunology, microbiome research, and protein biochemistry
- Experience or willingness to work with animal models and tissue samples
- Skills in bioinformatics, data integration, or statistical analysis (e.g. R)
- Strong scientific curiosity and an eagerness to publish
- Fluent English communication skills
🎓 What We Offer
- A 4-year PhD contract (initially 12 months with extension)
- Salary between €3,017–€3,824/month (PhD scale)
BIG-registered MDs in the Netherlands may enter salary scale 10 (€3,493–€5,504) - Annual 8.3% holiday bonus
- 190+ paid holiday hours per year + flexible leave schemes
- Full public transport reimbursement or bicycle commute compensation
- Modern pension plan with BeFrank
- Access to world-class core facilities, training, and mentoring
- Embedded in an international, highly interdisciplinary consortium
📈 From July 1, 2025, salaries will increase by 3% as part of improved UMC employee benefits. Read more here.
📍 Location: Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands
Based at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Tytgat Institute merges pediatrics and gastroenterology to offer a unique translational science environment. Here, you’ll benefit from top-tier infrastructure in genomics, imaging, metabolomics, and microbiota research, with strong project management and legal support from Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
📅 Application & Selection Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — apply early to increase your chances!
🎯 First-round interviews begin in early July 2025
Apply now by contacting:
📩 Prof. Dr. Joep Derikx: j.derikx@amsterdamumc.nl
📩 Prof. Dr. Wouter de Jonge: w.j.dejonge@amsterdamumc.nl
Use subject line: “SMARTHEAL Application”
For questions on the application process, contact
📩 Rhiannon Sandfort: r.e.sandfort@amsterdamumc.nl
A reference check or screening may apply. See more Apply Here. A VOG certificate is required upon hiring.
📽 Learn More
🎥 Watch this video about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV
🧭 Explore the PhD trajectory at Amsterdam UMC
🌈 Commitment to Diversity
Amsterdam UMC believes in equal opportunities for all. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds, identities, and cultures, and strive to create an inclusive, supportive, and safe research environment.
💡 Shape the future of surgical recovery — join the SMARTHEAL Project and earn your PhD at Amsterdam UMC!
👉 Apply now before the position closes!
