PhD Position in Health Sciences (Utrecht University)

Institution: Utrecht University Faculty: Veterinary Medicine Department: Biomolecular Health Sciences Location: Utrecht, Netherlands Hours: Full-time (36–40 hours/week) Application Deadline: 18 January 2026 Contact: Prof. Femke Broere – f.broere@uu.nl Position Overview Develop immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases using human-based systems without animal models. Work with 3D culture systems and organ-on-a-chip platforms. Focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) immune regulation. Collaborate with academic partners and industry (Mimetas, Genmab, Maastricht UMC+). Enroll in the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) – Infectious Diseases & Immunology programme. PhD Project Options PhD 1: Lymph Node-on-a-Chip Set up co-culture of multiple immune cell types in a physiologically relevant environment. Validate tissue-like structure and functional immune responses (microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA). Screen novel immunotherapies using patient-derived material. PhD 2: Regulatory T Cells in RA Clone TCRs from stress antigen-specific regulatory T cells into reporter systems. Co-culture primary and reporter cells to investigate acquisition of regulatory function. Stratify RA patient cohorts and screen novel stress-associated T cell ligands for immune regulation. Candidate Profile MSc in Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, or related field. Excellent communication and teamwork skills. Curious, proactive, structured, and organized. Fluent in English; willing to work in an international environment. Prior experience with molecular cloning, cell culture, 3D organoids, or flow cytometry is advantageous but not required. Offer / Benefits Contract: Initially 12 months, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation. Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross/month (full-time, CAO NU P scale). 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus. Pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment options. Professional development and support for personal growth. About Utrecht University & Ombion Ombion Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation focuses on accelerating biomedical research without animal testing. Collaborative, methodologically diverse, and interdisciplinary research environment. Strong focus on training the next generation of immunologists and translational impact. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Institution: Utrecht University
Faculty: Veterinary Medicine
Department: Biomolecular Health Sciences
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Hours: Full-time (36–40 hours/week)
Application Deadline: 18 January 2026
Contact: Prof. Femke Broere – f.broere@uu.nl

Position Overview

Develop immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases using human-based systems without animal models.
Work with 3D culture systems and organ-on-a-chip platforms.
Focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) immune regulation.
Collaborate with academic partners and industry (Mimetas, Genmab, Maastricht UMC+).
Enroll in the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) – Infectious Diseases & Immunology programme.

PhD Project Options

PhD 1: Lymph Node-on-a-Chip

Set up co-culture of multiple immune cell types in a physiologically relevant environment.
Validate tissue-like structure and functional immune responses (microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA).
Screen novel immunotherapies using patient-derived material.

PhD 2: Regulatory T Cells in RA

Clone TCRs from stress antigen-specific regulatory T cells into reporter systems.
Co-culture primary and reporter cells to investigate acquisition of regulatory function.
Stratify RA patient cohorts and screen novel stress-associated T cell ligands for immune regulation.

Candidate Profile

MSc in Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, or related field.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Curious, proactive, structured, and organized.
Fluent in English; willing to work in an international environment.
Prior experience with molecular cloning, cell culture, 3D organoids, or flow cytometry is advantageous but not required.

Offer / Benefits

Contract: Initially 12 months, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation.
Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross/month (full-time, CAO NU P scale).
8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
Pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment options.
Professional development and support for personal growth.

About Utrecht University & Ombion

Ombion Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation focuses on accelerating biomedical research without animal testing.
Collaborative, methodologically diverse, and interdisciplinary research environment.
Strong focus on training the next generation of immunologists and translational impact.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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