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University of Amsterdam
Just Landed
2 days ago
PhD Position in Understanding Cellular Mechanisms Driving Traumatic Brain Injury-Associated Dementia University of Amsterdam in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Biology
Funding
Funded by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) Open Competition Domain Science – M2 grant. Salary is €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month (scale P) for a 38-hour week, plus holiday allowance and year-end allowance.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
University of Amsterdam
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About this position
This PhD project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms that connect repetitive mild traumatic brain injury to long-term hippocampal dysfunction, memory decline, and dementia-related neurodegeneration. The research focuses on how repeated head impacts alter the fate of resident neural stem cells in the hippocampus, including neurogenesis, astrogliogenesis, reactive astrogliosis, inflammatory signaling, and microglial activation, and how these changes may contribute to persistent cognitive impairment.
The project combines complementary expertise from two research environments: the Fitzsimons lab at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, and the Salta lab at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. The team works across mouse and human hippocampal systems to identify conserved cell populations, transcriptional programs, and intercellular communication networks affected by traumatic brain injury. The work is embedded in a collaborative setting with access to advanced approaches and state-of-the-art facilities.
You will work with an established closed-head repetitive mild TBI mouse model and integrate it with single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics, cellular morphology analyses, electrophysiology, behavioural testing, and molecular assays. The project is designed to uncover mechanisms linking traumatic brain injury to long-lasting neuroinflammation and impaired hippocampal function, with an emphasis on translational relevance across mouse and human material.
The position sits within the Brain Plasticity group of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, part of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The group studies how the brain adapts to challenging environments and how plasticity relates to cognition and disorders such as dementia. The project builds on earlier published work from the team on traumatic brain injury and adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
Funding details
Funded by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) Open Competition Domain Science – M2 grant. Salary is €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month (scale P) for a 38-hour week, plus holiday allowance and year-end allowance.
What's required
A master’s degree in biomedical sciences with a neuroscience specialization or a similar degree is required. Applicants should have strong affinity and hands-on experience with experimental work involving laboratory animals and/or molecular and cellular biology. An Article 9 certificate to work with laboratory animals is a prerequisite. A strong proven interest in bioinformatics analysis of complex datasets is expected. Fluent written and spoken English is required. Candidates should be dedicated, accurate, stress-resistant, well organized, a pleasant colleague, and capable of working at two different locations.
How to apply
Apply online via the provided application link. Submit a CV with months for education and work experience, a motivation letter, a list of relevant courses and possibly publications, and the names and email addresses of two referees in one single PDF file apart from your CV. Only complete applications received by 30 November 2026 will be considered.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.