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PhD in Mechanisms of HIV-Induced Neurodegeneration and Brain Organoid Lipidomics Amsterdam UMC in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Cell Biology
Funding
PhD contract at Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years with a 6-month probation period. Salary scale OIO is €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month depending on experience, plus an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Public transport costs are reimbursed 100%, and private transport is reimbursed at €0.18 per km up to 40 km each way.
Deadline
Oct 30, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Amsterdam UMC

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About this position
Amsterdam UMC is recruiting a PhD candidate for the MERIT MSCA doctoral network to study mechanisms of HIV-induced neurodegeneration. The project sits at the intersection of medical science, neuroscience, virology, cell biology, and lipidomics, with a strong translational focus on HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and related neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
The doctoral project will be carried out at OrganoVIR Labs at Amsterdam UMC (location AMC) in the Netherlands, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt and Dr. Renata Vieira de Sá, with MERIT coordination by Dr. Adithya Sridhar. The research uses iPSC-derived microglia-embedded brain organoids to characterise lipidomic changes after HIV infection and to investigate TDP-43 proteinopathy as a possible mechanism linking HAND with broader neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease.
The role is part of an EU-funded MSCA training programme and includes a 4-year PhD contract, salary according to OIO scale, end-of-year bonus, travel reimbursement, and extensive network-wide training. Planned secondments include ICGEB and Leiden University Medical Center. Training also covers safety, biosecurity, ethics, sustainability, AI/LLM, entrepreneurship, and non-academic skills.
Applicants should have an MSc or MD (or be close to completion) in biomedical sciences, biology, cell biology, biotechnology, or a related field. Strong foundations in molecular and cellular biology and immunology are expected, with experience in virology, 3D cell culture, or tissue engineering considered highly relevant. Excellent English communication skills are required, and applicants must meet the transnational mobility rule.
Deadline: 30 October 2026. Apply through the MERIT vacancy page.
Funding details
PhD contract at Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years with a 6-month probation period. Salary scale OIO is €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month depending on experience, plus an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Public transport costs are reimbursed 100%, and private transport is reimbursed at €0.18 per km up to 40 km each way.
What's required
MSc or MD, or close to completion, in (bio)medical sciences, biology, cell biology, biotechnology, or a closely related field; solid foundation in molecular and cellular biology and immunology; expertise in virology, 3D cell culture, or tissue engineering preferred; experience with relevant experimental laboratory techniques; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team; excellent oral and written English at minimum C1/C2 CEFR level; must satisfy the transnational mobility rule by not having resided or worked/studied in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months before 1 April 2027.
How to apply
Apply via the MERIT website using the Doctoral Candidate 7 vacancy page. Submit the application before 30 October 2026; late applications will not be considered.
More information can be found here
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