Marjo van der Knaap
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PhD Position: Vanishing White Matter (VWM) Research Amsterdam UMC in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Neurology
Funding
Four-year PhD appointment; salary scale OIO €3,217–€4,077 gross per month, or for medicine master's graduates scale 10 €3,724–€5,867 gross per month at full-time; 8.3% year-end bonus; travel reimbursement and pension benefits mentioned.
Deadline
Nov 19, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Amsterdam UMC
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About this position
The Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center at Amsterdam UMC is offering a four-year PhD position on Vanishing White Matter (VWM), a severe inherited disorder that affects the brain’s white matter. The project is embedded in a highly specialized, internationally recognized research environment focused on leukodystrophies, with expertise spanning clinical symptoms, neuropsychological effects, MRI, genetics, neuropathology, and molecular and cellular disease mechanisms.
The doctoral researcher will work on the clinical aspects and biomarkers of VWM with the aim of improving diagnosis, prognosis, and patient guidance, as well as identifying possible outcome measures for clinical trials. A major strength of the project is the center’s large international patient registry, which captures the natural course of the disease and supports ongoing and upcoming international therapeutic studies. The student will analyze international patient data, examine biomarker results from body fluids, and contribute to work that informs both disease understanding and trial readiness.
The project is closely connected to the VWM Expert Consortium and involves collaboration with international colleagues. The PhD candidate will work alongside a research data manager who is involved in the registry, and will be part of a multidisciplinary team including pediatric neurologists, neuropathologists, biologists, analysts, PhD candidates, and students. The position is based within the Department of Pediatric Neurology at Amsterdam UMC, offering a professional research setting with opportunities for personal and scientific development, training, and courses through ONWAR.
This project is centered on improving care and research for patients with VWM through international data collection, biomarker analysis, and collaborative clinical research.
Funding details
Four-year PhD appointment; salary scale OIO €3,217–€4,077 gross per month, or for medicine master's graduates scale 10 €3,724–€5,867 gross per month at full-time; 8.3% year-end bonus; travel reimbursement and pension benefits mentioned.
What's required
A master's degree in Medicine, Psychology, Biology, or Biomedical Sciences is required. The applicant should have an affinity with leukodystrophy research, speak Dutch and English fluently, preferably know additional languages, communicate well with international research partners, have strong writing and presentation skills, work accurately and in a structured way with good data quality and integrity, and be able to work independently while contributing to a multidisciplinary team.
How to apply
Apply via the AcademicTransfer application link. Submit your application online before the deadline. The first interview round is held online via Teams, and a second round follows about one to two weeks later.
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Professors
Prof. at Amsterdam UMC
Netherlands
Research Interests
Neurology
Neuropsychology
Pediatric Neurology
Medical Registry
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.