PhD position Photopharmacology (1.0 FTE)
Apply nowPhD position Photopharmacology (1.0 FTE)
This position is part of the HTRIC × Ubbo Emmius Foundation (UEF) program, which supports interdisciplinary research in four key areas of health technology: molecular diagnostics, medical imaging, precision medicine, and smart medical materials. Health Technology Research and Innovation Cluster (HTRIC) is a collaboration between the University of Groningen, UMCG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, NHL Stenden, and the Life Cooperative. HTRIC brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry to develop innovative medical technologies that make healthcare more effective and accessible.
PhD position Photopharmacology (1.0 FTE)
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What are you going to do?
Photopharmacology is a field of research that creates light-activated drugs to achieve unprecedented spatiotemporal precision in treatments. It is often studied in cells and 2D cell cultures, which miss opportunities to evaluate compounds in models that represent tumor heterogeneity and the role of the immune system. This subproject will focus on using cancer and normal tissue organoids and light-controlled drugs in combination with live cell optical fluorescence imaging and MS imaging, to focus on the following fundamental questions:
- What level of spatial resolution for light-activated drugs (reversibly and irreversibly) can we obtain in a model more representative of a living organism, different from a simple 2D culture?
- Can we use light to switch the drugs off in certain areas selectively?
- In organoid models, when one compares classical cytotoxic drugs (active everywhere) to their locally activated counterparts, is there a downstream difference in (stem cell) survival and cell-specific activation of the immune response?
This project is a part of an Ubbo Emius-funded HTRIC consortium aimed at training the next generation of scientists in biomedical applications, bringing together specialists from chemistry, imaging, cancer biology, and physics to lay the foundation for imaging-guided pharmacotherapy.
The role of the PhD working in this position will be to design, synthesize, and evaluate new photopharmacological agents, study their photochemical behavior, and support their evaluation in the developed organoid models, with further support from MS imaging. Within this team, the PhD candidate will be supported, among others, by a team of two PIs (Szymanski / Coppes) with expertise in chemistry, photochemistry, cancer stem cell biology, and organoids, and a team of colleagues with additional expertise in quantum calculations and photopharmacology. The broader HTRICxUEF consortium provides additional expertise in the use of high-energy radiation, nanomedical drug release, and medical imaging.
Who are you?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented PhD candidate with:
- A MSc degree in (Synthetic) Organic Chemistry or Pharmacy or an equivalent certification.
- Strong experimental background in synthetic organic chemistry.
- Research experience in the field of photochemistry and/or photopharmacology will be seen as a strong asset.
- Interest in and willingness to expand the expertise towards biomedical 3D-organoid models.
- Capacity to think analytically and creatively.
- High motivation in pursuing academic research.
- Ability to work in an international team and collaborate with several research centers in Europe in a streamlined and professional way.
- An integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communicative and social skills.
- Fluent proficiency in English – written and oral.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see University of Groningen’s English Language Requirements for details.
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 (Scale ) up to a maximum of € 3.881 (Scale ) 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.
- Contract duration: A full-time position (1.0 FTE). The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering. The preferred starting date is between 1 February 2026 or later.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (RUG), researchers across all branches of science and technology work on scientific challenges and societal issues. Lecturers train their students for meaningful careers in science or beyond. Interdisciplinary research and education, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with companies, government institutions, and societal organizations are highly valued at this top 100 university. RUG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working environment that invites you to contribute 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.
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 33,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.
Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, a 4-years PhD position is available at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Photopharmacology and Imaging at the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy. The Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP) is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) of the University of Groningen and collaborates closely with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). The pharmaceutical and medical research within GRIP and the UMCG is very multidisciplinary. This project aims to develop light-activation processes for the emerging field of time-resolved structural biology, fitting perfectly into the fundamental and applied work performed in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Photopharmacology and Imaging at GRIP.
Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will receive a response at the latest two weeks after the closing date.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this sound like a challenge that suits you? Then apply immediately!
Do you meet our qualification criteria? If yes, you’re requested to upload the following documents:
- Letter of motivation.
- CV (including contact information for at least two academic references).
- Transcripts from your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
Do you have any questions or need more information?
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Questions about the content of the job?
Wiktor Szymański
Full Professor
w.c.szymanski@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Wiktor Szymański
Full Professor
w.c.szymanski@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP application code
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