Postdoctoral Fellowship on Molecular Neurobiology of Stress and Aging
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Job Location:
Amsterdam - Netherlands
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Are you passionate about the brain and fascinated by the mysteries of memory and ageing and how stress may affect them Are you ready to make a real difference in how we understand and promote healthy cognitive function across the lifespan
Join Us in Unlocking the Secrets of Healthy Brain Ageing
Were inviting an ambitious and motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join our cutting-edge international research team exploring why some individuals age with their cognitive abilities intact while others experience debilitating memory decline.
What are you going to do
Age-related memory decline is one of the greatest challenges facing our developed societies. However not all individuals are equally affected. This groundbreaking project will investigate why some individuals are more resilient to age-related cognitive decline than others linking chronic stress neuroplasticity and mitochondrial health to long-term cognitive outcomes.
Focusing on the dentate gyrus a key hippocampal region for memory and life-long neurogenesis were investigating how stress during adolescence shapes cognitive ageing. Using mouse models state-of-the-art molecular biology tools single cell transcriptomics and innovative metabolic interventions our goal is to discover how to protect the vulnerable brain from decline and promote resilience.
This research is part of a European ERA4Health initiative with strong translational potential and global relevance.
Your specific role in this project will be to investigate how the effect of stress during adolescence on immature neurons in the dentate gyrus is mediated by glucocorticoid hormones affecting their long-term metabolic health and function.
Your work will be a continuation of our work previously published in:
- do we require
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Cross and genotype existing transgenic mouse strains apply mouse models of adolescence stress
- Implement and demonstrate genetic manipulation of glucocorticoid receptors in specific cell populations in transgenic mouse strains
- Investigate the consequences that manipulating glucocorticoid receptors in specific cell populations has on hippocampus-specific memory tasks activity dynamics and physiological functions of the hippocampus
- Investigate the consequences that manipulating glucocorticoid receptors in specific cell populations has on morphology and structural connectivity of immature neurons in the dentate gyrus and on genome-wide transcriptomic profiles with specific focus on mitochondrial networks
- Investigate the translational potential of glucocorticoid receptor modulators to treat/prevent the long-term effects of stress during adolescence has on cognitive ageing
- Be an active member of the research group and take responsibility for shared tasks. Discuss your work with the group members and other members of the Science community. Incorporate feedback and give input to others
- Take a leading role in writing manuscripts co-supervise tutoring Masters and PhD students
Ownership and Initiative: We are particularly interested in candidates who can take ownership of their research project and demonstrate initiative in driving their work forward. As postdoc you will have the opportunity to shape the direction of your research and contribute novel ideas to the field.
You will get the opportunity to:
- present your results at (inter)national scientific meetings
- expand your academic professional and personal skills
- get access to cutting-edge facilities and technologies for innovative research
- contribute to science communication and outreach efforts
- thrive in a vibrant impactful research community
What do you have to offer
You are passionate about science and have a particular interest in molecular neuroscience with a special focus on mitochondrial function and pharmacological interventions. You enjoy performing experimental lab work and working with mouse models of disease (e.g. molecular biology scRNA sequencing transcriptomics genetic manipulation in transgenic mouse models electrophysiology behavioral tests etc). You have a creative mind and look forward to work at the cutting-edge of neuroscience. Finally you are a team player and a pleasant colleague who enjoys being part of an interdisciplinary team of plant scientists.
Your experience and profile
You have/are
- A PhD in Molecular Neuroscience Molecular Psychiatry or a related field
- Demonstrated (published) hands-on experience with the following techniques: work with transgenic mouse models of stress stereotactic injections to the brain scRNA sequencing transcriptomics and data analysis fluorescence in-situ hybridization electrophysiology behavioral memory testing immunohistochemistry confocal microscopy
- Fluency in English both written and spoken
- Strong theoretical background in neurobiology of ageing stress and memory
- A team player with curiosity creativity and drive to make a difference
Our offer
We offer a temporary contract for 38hours a week preferably starting on 5 January 2026 for the duration of 12 months. After satisfactory evaluation the contract will be extended with 24 months to total of 36 months. The Netherlands UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable.
The salary depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract will be between 3.546 5.538 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants. TheCollective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universitiesis applicable.
Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development Take a look here.
Where you will work
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdams Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical biotech chemical flavor food & agricultural and high-tech industries and revolves around 4 main themes Cell & Systems biology Neurosciences Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.
The Fitzsimons Lab is embedded within the Brain Plasticity group which focuses on understanding how the brain responds and adapt to a changing or challenging environment with a broad experimental approach at the molecular cellular functional and behavioral level
Very much as a mechanic wants to fix broken or out-of-order things at the Fitzsimons lab we dream with repairing the brain and counteract neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.
To this objective we focus on a group of damaging insults that modify the proliferation and function of neural stem cells resulting in the presence of abnormal neurons and circuits and cellular and functional alterations in the hippocampus.
Do you want to know more about our organization Read more aboutworking at the University of Amsterdam.
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile Then we look forward to receiving your application by 17 November 2025.
Applications in .pdf should include:
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience and publication record
- a letter of motivation
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
The interviews will be held in November 2025.A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure(for details: National knowledge security guidelines).
Do you have questions about this vacancy Or do you want to know more about our organisationPlease contact:Dr. Carlos P. Fitzsimons Associate Professor email
Key Skills
- Microsoft Access
- Stress Analysis
- FEA
- ASME Codes & Standards
- Mathcad
- CAD
- Airframe
- Assembly Experience
- Fabrication
- Maintenance
- Catia
- Aviation Experience
