Postdoc Researcher Neuroscience: Drug development for neurological disorders

Are you an ambitious neuroscientist with a completed PhD and a passion for translational research, eager to accelerate new treatments for neurological disorders using human neuron models?

Your function

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team at Neurospector. You will design, supervise, and perform live-cell microscopy experiments in human IPSC-derived neurons to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies in close collaboration with industry partners.

Our research focuses on the mechanisms of neuronal communication, synaptic transmission, network activity, and cellular signalling which are disrupted in many neurological disorders. 

Using state-of-the-art optical tools, high-content live-cell microscopy, and automated analysis pipelines, we quantify neuronal function in disease-relevant human models and assess drug efficacy with high precision. 

As a member of our team, you will: 

  • design and execute advanced live-cell imaging experiments in human iPSC-derived neurons
  • develop and implement quantitative image and data analysis pipelines
  • coordinate collaborative projects with industry partners
  • contribute to scientific reporting, publications, and regulatory-ready data packages
  • mentor junior researchers and support the development of innovative assay platforms

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational neuroscience in a dynamic team combining fundamental insight with real-world therapeutic impact.

Your profile

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational neuroscience in a dynamic team combining fundamental insight with real-world therapeutic impact.

Requirements

  • a successful PhD in Biomedical Sciences or Biophysics with a Neuroscience specialization
  • proven experience with cell culture and high-end microscopy
  • strong programming and data analysis skills (Matlab, Python, R)
  • excellent organisational and management skills.
  • strong written and verbal communication skills in English

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
  • a position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • the possibility to work partly from home

About us

Why Join Neurospector?

  • work with predictive human neuron models at the forefront of drug development
  • collaborate directly with biotech and pharmaceutical partners
  • contribute to therapies for disorders with high unmet medical need
  • operate in a scientifically rigorous yet entrepreneurial environment
  • be part of a growing team shaping the future of translational neuroscience

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

 

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Your function

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team at Neurospector. You will design, supervise, and perform live-cell microscopy experiments in human IPSC-derived neurons to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies in close collaboration with industry partners.

Our research focuses on the mechanisms of neuronal communication, synaptic transmission, network activity, and cellular signalling which are disrupted in many neurological disorders. 

Using state-of-the-art optical tools, high-content live-cell microscopy, and automated analysis pipelines, we quantify neuronal function in disease-relevant human models and assess drug efficacy with high precision. 

As a member of our team, you will: 

  • design and execute advanced live-cell imaging experiments in human iPSC-derived neurons
  • develop and implement quantitative image and data analysis pipelines
  • coordinate collaborative projects with industry partners
  • contribute to scientific reporting, publications, and regulatory-ready data packages
  • mentor junior researchers and support the development of innovative assay platforms

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational neuroscience in a dynamic team combining fundamental insight with real-world therapeutic impact.

Your profile

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to translational neuroscience in a dynamic team combining fundamental insight with real-world therapeutic impact.

Requirements

  • a successful PhD in Biomedical Sciences or Biophysics with a Neuroscience specialization
  • proven experience with cell culture and high-end microscopy
  • strong programming and data analysis skills (Matlab, Python, R)
  • excellent organisational and management skills.
  • strong written and verbal communication skills in English

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
  • a position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • the possibility to work partly from home

About us

Why Join Neurospector?

  • work with predictive human neuron models at the forefront of drug development
  • collaborate directly with biotech and pharmaceutical partners
  • contribute to therapies for disorders with high unmet medical need
  • operate in a scientifically rigorous yet entrepreneurial environment
  • be part of a growing team shaping the future of translational neuroscience

Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Claudia Persoon

Head of Neurospector

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

 

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Claudia Persoon

Head of Neurospector

Application procedure

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