PhD Position in Epigenetics and the development of Type 2 Diabetes

Specifications

Job description

• Collection and analysis of epigenetic profiles, obtained from samples of the longitudinal Doetinchem Cohort Study
• Literature studies
• Summarize and report key analytical findings at work meetings and international scientific conferences, and write scientific papers
• Translation of research findings to policy makers

This project started recently. You will be part of a team consisting of experts with backgrounds in epidemiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics.

Requirements

• MSc degree in biology, medical biology, bioinformatics, or a comparable discipline. A candidate with experience in epidemiology and bioinformatics is preferred.
• Affinity with molecular biology methodologies
• Enthusiasm, highly motivated
• Excellent communication skills, team player
• Excellent computer and software skills
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently
• Fluency in English

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. This may imply that you need to have sufficient protection against Hepatitis B before being appointed. If necessary, the UMCG will provide you with a Hepatitis B vaccination.

Conditions of employment
Your salary is € 2.222,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2.846,- gross per month in the last year (scale PhD) depending on your level of education and experience and based on a full-time working week of 36 hours.
In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and a development budget. The terms of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centers (CAO-UMC).

The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract as a PhD student for one year. Upon positive evaluation of the PhD student’s performance the contract will be extended by two years; the appointment should result in a PhD thesis.

Additional information
For additional information please contact:
– Prof. Dr. Harold Snieder: h.snieder@umcg.nl
– Dr. Mirjam Luijten: mirjam.luijten@rivm.nl
(please do not use e-mailadresses for applications)

Your application should include: cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, and contact information of two references. Interviews will be held on 8 December at the RIVM in Bilthoven.

Organisation

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)

Department

Epidemiology

Project Description
For the research project ‘Epigenetics: predictive tools for disease risk?’ we are searching for a PhD candidate. There is rapidly emerging evidence that epigenetics constitutes an important link among genetics, disease, and the environment. Also for type 2 diabetes (T2D), a major and highly prevalent disease, epigenomic modifications have been suggested to play an important role in disease susceptibility. The overall goal of the project is to identify DNA methylation profiles that are predictive of future risk of T2D. The specific objectives of the project are:
– to identify DNA methylation changes associated with T2D using omics technologies in blood samples of individuals with and without T2D;
– to explore whether these methylation profiles are predictive of T2D risk, and whether they are associated with lifestyle factors.

The project is carried out as a collaboration between the Unit of Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics of the Department of Epidemiology at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), and two Centers of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM): the Centre for Health Protection and the Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services. These research groups conduct innovative scientific research focusing on (molecular) mechanisms underlying the development of chronic diseases as well as epidemiology of chronic diseases. They collaborate widely with other research groups at a national and international level. The project will be part of the Life Course Epidemiology research program of the UMCG Graduate School of Medical Sciences. The PhD researcher will be based in Groningen, but you will also carry out a substantial part of your research in Bilthoven.

Short link www.academictransfer.com/30921