The Immuno- and Renal pathology group of the department of Pathology at the Academic Medical Center integrates clinical diagnostics, and fundamental and translational research dedicated to renal diseases. Our main research topic is to elucidate the role of different components of the innate immunity system in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. To unravel the involvement of innate immunity in the renal diseases, we used relevant rodent models for acute and chronic renal injury (ischemia-reperfusion, obstructive nephropathy, renal transplantation and pyelonephritis), renal biopsies, urine and plasma of renal patients, and in vitro models (tubular epithelial cell and endothelial cell cultures). Our research line is part of the Center for Immunology Amsterdam.
In our research group a PhD position is available for a scientific project titled 'The hidden face of CD44 in renal injury and repair' funded by the Dutch Kidney Foundation. Recently, we have unraveled the role of CD44, a glycoprotein involved in many crucial biological processes such as cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in rodent models of renal injury. Our research has established a crucial role for CD44 in renal injury and repair. However, much more efforts are needed before innovative therapies based on CD44 become reality. To establish the specific roles of different forms of CD44 in renal injury and repair, we have generated a unique set of transgenic mice expressing different types of CD44 specifically in renal tubules. We anticipate that identifying the role of CD44 splice-variants in renal injury will give new insights into the mechanisms of renal inflammation, injury and repair and hopefully leads to specific therapies for patients with renal diseases. During this research we will use relevant in vivo models of renal diseases in mice and in vitro cultures of tubular epithelial cells. Immunological, molecular biological and cellular biological techniques will be used.

University Graduate
You have a Master in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or medical biology, you are interested by research in a relevant medical topic in a multidisciplinary setting.

Additional information about the job:
We offer you a position for 4 years with in a creative and enthusiastic team.

Academic Medical Centre

Salaryscale 07.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2572
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Duration of the contract is 4 years.
Maximum hours per week: 36

Additional conditions of employment:
Gross compensation will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a salary of € 2007,- with a yearly growth to € 2572,- gross a month.

 
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

You can apply for this job before 30-09-2008 by sending your application to:

Prof.dr. Sandrine Florquin, telefoon 020-5664240, e-mail:

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT080707.