Amsterdam UMC
5 days ago
PhD position in liquid biomarkers for leukodystrophies (MSCA Doctoral Network, POLARIS) Amsterdam UMC in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time 3-year employment contract with the University Hospital Tübingen. Salary, mobility allowance and benefits are provided according to applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules. The project is embedded in the POLARIS doctoral training network and includes network-wide training, secondments, and transferable-skills development.
Deadline
Oct 5, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Amsterdam UMC

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About this position
MSCA-DN PhD opportunity in liquid biomarkers for leukodystrophies within the POLARIS doctoral network, a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on accelerating therapy development for rare white-matter disorders.
The project is centered on biomarker discovery and multi-omics integration for leukodystrophies. You will work with patient plasma and iPSC-derived human disease models to identify and validate minimally invasive biomarkers that can support early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and treatment response assessment. The research combines metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, and genomics, with statistical and machine-learning approaches. Established markers such as NfL and GFAP are used as biological reference points.
The project includes work on iPSC-derived oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, neurons, and myelinating organoids. Depending on your background, the emphasis can be more experimental (cell culture, differentiation, model characterization) or more computational (bioinformatics, omics analysis, data integration). The work is closely linked to human genetics, computational biology, and clinical neurology, and includes collaboration across POLARIS partners in Europe.
Secondments are planned, including a placement at Orchard Therapeutics for omics and biomarker development in an industrial/regulatory setting, and a secondment with the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA) for patient and family engagement.
The position is based in Tübingen, Germany, with academic enrolment through the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. It is a PhD position and is part of a 3-year full-time employment contract with the University Hospital Tübingen. Funding includes salary, mobility allowance, and benefits under MSCA Doctoral Network rules.
Eligibility highlights: a relevant Master’s degree is required; applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree; and MSCA mobility rules apply (no more than 12 months of residence/main activity in Germany during the 3 years before the contract start date). English fluency is essential. Deadline: 5 October 2026.
Funding details
Full-time 3-year employment contract with the University Hospital Tübingen. Salary, mobility allowance and benefits are provided according to applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules. The project is embedded in the POLARIS doctoral training network and includes network-wide training, secondments, and transferable-skills development.
What's required
Applicants must have a Master's degree in life sciences, biomedical sciences, bioinformatics, computational biology or a related field. The post seeks either candidates with experience in iPSC-based disease modelling, stem-cell or cell biology, or candidates with a background in bioinformatics, computational biology or statistics plus strong interest in disease biology. Required skills include a solid understanding of molecular genetics, glial and myelin biology, and rare neurological diseases; experience with iPSC culture and differentiation or programming in Python and/or R, applied statistics and/or machine learning on omics data; interest in translational research and biomarker development; strong analytical, problem-solving, organisational and communication skills; ability to work independently; and fluency in English. Experience in the complementary area or with long-read sequencing data is an advantage. MSCA eligibility rules apply: applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree and must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
How to apply
Apply via the AcademicTransfer application page or the Euraxess view/apply link. Submit your application by 5 October 2026 and mention up to two additional POLARIS projects of interest in your application letter if relevant. For substantive questions about the vacancy, contact Dr. Lucia Laugwitz by email.
More information can be found here
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