项目介绍

2026年5月17日

What are you going to do?

Asthma is a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide that leads to chronic symptoms such as cough, chest tightness and airway hyperresponsiveness. Type 2 airway inflammation plays a major role in the disease, interacting with structural cells to drive the development of symptoms. On the longer term and in patients with severe asthma, chronic airway inflammation will also drive remodelling of the airways. Amongst other changes, this is characterized by structural changes in the airway wall including epithelial cell changes such as Goblet cell hyperplasia and the occurrence of Hillock cells and expansion of the sensory neuronal network.

The aim of this project will be to study interactions between type 2 inflammation, epithelial cells and sensory neurons to understand how neuroimmune interactions and neuroepithelial interactions drive pathological remodeling of the asthmatic airway wall. The project is a collaboration with investigators of the UMCG and of Erasmus University Medical Center.

The PhD candidate will work with advanced human disease models for airway epithelial cells and airway neurons, based on pluripotent stem cell technology. Cells will be cultured together with cytokines and cells relevant to type 2 inflammation to understand the impact of the asthmatic microenvironment on the growth and differentiation of these cells. We will use organ-on-chip systems to grow the airway neurons and to guide axonal contact specifically to target cells. 

Faculty of Science and EngineeringApply no later than: 6 June 202623:59 Dutch local time€3.059 – €3.881

Who are you?

The successful PhD candidate will have the following qualifications:

•         A masters’ degree in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related area.
•         Affinity with advanced techniques in stem cell biology and organ-on-chip technology.
•         Previous experience on in vitro cell culture, molecular and cell biology, cellular imaging would be considered an asset.
•         Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
•         Enthusiasm for pharmaceutical research in an interdisciplinary setting.

The anticipated starting date will be September/October 2026.

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
• The position is limited to a period of 4 years. The first year constitutes a probationary period, with an evaluation of the candidate’s performance after 9 months. The objective of this evaluation is to establish whether the candidate will be able to finish a PhD thesis in the remaining three years. If the performance evaluation is positive, the candidate’s contract will be extended by another 3 years, for a total of 4 years.

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse.