Netherlands, ROTTERDAM
Erasmus MC
- Postdoctoral researcher in genome stability and neurotoxicity
Make progress towards understanding and preventing chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. - Closing date 30-06-2026 - 3402
- 36 hours - PhD - Lab technicians and Analysts - Closing date 30-06-2026 - 3402
Job description
Chemotherapy has greatly improved cancer survival, but many patients experience severe neurological side effects during or after treatment. These include peripheral neuropathy, causing numbness or pain in hands and feet, as well as cognitive problems often referred to as "chemobrain", which can affect memory. These complications can persist long after treatment has ended, severely affecting quality of life and, in some cases, forcing dose reduction or therapy stop. Currently, there are no effective treatments to prevent these severe side effects.
In this KWF-funded project, we investigate how chemotherapy-induced DNA damage disrupts gene transcription in nerve cells and how this contributes to neurotoxicity. This project is a close collaboration between the labs of Jurgen Marteijn, Debbie van den Berg and Femke de Vrij, combining expertise in DNA damage and transcription stress with advanced human neuronal differentiation models. Using state-of-the-art neuronal differentiation models, live-cell imaging, DNA repair and functional neuronal assays, and genome-wide CRISPR screening, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to new strategies that improve the long-term quality of life of cancer survivors.
Work environment
This KWF-funded project is a close collaboration between the labs of Jurgen Marteijn ( Molecular Genetics, Genome Stability group ) and Debbie van den Berg (Developmental Neurobiology group) , combining expertise in DNA damage and transcription stress (van Sluis et al. , 2026, Na...
Angeboten: vor 1 Woche(n)