PhD in experimental physics: how do you make the first antimatter molecule?

When a proton meets a hydrogen atom, the pair can emit a photon and stay together as H₂⁺. This is how the first molecules formed after the Big Bang, and it is one of the proposed routes to the first antimatter molecule, yet it has never been measured. In the NWO Vidi project SAMURAI, you will study these collisions one quantum state at a time: instead of colliding atoms, we use lasers to prepare a hydrogen molecule at the moment of a collision and watch it fall apart. You will be part of a small group in which experiment and theory go hand in hand.

Your duties

• excite H₂ with two tunable extreme-ultraviolet lasers (60–205 nm), built in our lab and unique in the Netherlands, and image the fragments with velocity-map imaging
• aim for the first spectroscopic observation of the excited electronic states of H₂⁺, calculated by Edward Teller in his PhD thesis in 1930 and never seen since
• trap H₂⁺ ions and use millimetre waves and magnetic fields to control how they come apart
• work towards the first measurement of radiative association: joining a cold proton and a cold hydrogen atom with light, next to a crystal of laser-cooled Be⁺ ions
• compare your data with multichannel quantum-defect theory and scattering calculations, and contribute to the theory yourself if you like
• develop your skills in lasers and nonlinear optics, ultrahigh vacuum, electronics, CAD design and scientific programming
• present your results at international conferences and publish them in peer-reviewed journals

PhD: Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in enterovirus CNS disease (MCSA-DC)

About the project
MERIT (MEtabolic Reprogramming in viral pathogenesis: from Infection to Therapeutic innovations) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at better understanding how viruses affect the human body. Coordinated by Dr. Adithya Sridhar, Assistant Professor, and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt, Professor of Pediatric Infectious diseases, from the OrganoVIR Labs at Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), this project brings together 7 academic institutions and 12 associated partners from across Europe.

Within MERIT, researchers will take a new, holistic approach that focuses on infections and host metabolism to unravel virus-induced metabolic reprogramming and its impact on human health. The project’s objective lies in understanding the complex interplay between viruses and host cells, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, and long-term consequences of infection. This will be achieved by combining three methodological pillars: human organoids, integrative and spatial omics, and advanced microscopy.

About the role
The antiviral functions of the mitochondrial antiviral signalling protein in viral RNA detection and interferon response come at the cost of metabolic reprogramming and dysfunction. Mitochondrial changes during enterovirus infections include redistribution of mitochondria, disruption of calcium homeostasis, and generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, the specific effects of Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection in a relevant tissue model remain largely unexplored. This doctoral project aims to bridge this gap by investigating the impact of EV-A71 infection on mitochondrial function in brain and neuromuscular organoids, providing crucial insights into the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis and paralysis, and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

At the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, MERIT is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1 and 3. As DC1, your objectives are:

• To identify changes to the mitochondria (localisation, number, size) using super-resolution microscopy
• To evaluate ROS production and its consequences on respiration and bioenergetics
• To sketch the transcriptomic changes with a focus on mitochondria-specific genes and pathways
• To link viral infection-induced mitochondrial changes to functional effects using electrophysiology

You will be guided during your research project by Dr. Adithya Sridhar and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt. You can apply for this position until 30 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Profile

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences, infection, immunity or related fields
• Experience working with mammalian cell culture, qPCR, and bioinformatics are preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)
• An interest in working in a multidisciplinary research group
• Have not resided/carried out work or studies in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 April 2027.

Our offer

• A contract with the Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years (probation of 6 months).
• The opportunity to work on large-scale and in-house research with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• Planned secondments to University of Oslo (UiO) & VectorY Therapeutics
• Training in safety and biosecurity aligned with international best practices. You will be trained in hazard identification, containment, incident reporting, and dual-use/gain-of-function issues.
• An opportunity to take part in a tailor-made pre-MBA programme to develop entrepreneurial and commercial skills and other network-wide training opportunities including conferences and courses, a Personal Development Plan, non-academic coaching, and workshops on topics including ethics and sustainability and AI/LLM.
• Gross monthly salary ranging from €3,217 to €4,077 (in accordance with CAO-UMC, OIO scale 10).
• A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of the gross annual salary.
• 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each. Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme.

About the workplace
The OrganoVIR Labs is uniquely embedded within both the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention (MMI) and the Department of Pediatrics and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Immunity and Infection Institute (AIII), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D), and Emma Centre for Personalized Medicine (Emma CPM). This multidisciplinary positioning fosters close collaboration between fundamental, translational, and clinical research.

OrganoVIR Labs has access to various advanced facilities including level 3, state-of-the-art molecular biology and culture facilities and access to high-throughput sequencing. Through its integration with the Department of Pediatrics, OrganoVIR Labs also benefits from extensive clinical expertise in the care of children with a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions. The department’s multidisciplinary approach and extensive clinical expertise support the translation of research findings into improved outcomes for pediatric patients.

Let's meet
Please apply via the MERIT website: Doctoral Candidate 1 Vacancy — MERIT

PhD: Implementation strategies for safe virus research in EU labs (MCSA)

About the project
MERIT (MEtabolic Reprogramming in viral pathogenesis: from Infection to Therapeutic innovations) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at better understanding how viruses affect the human body. Coordinated by Dr. Adithya Sridhar, Assistant Professor, and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt, Professor of Pediatric Infectious diseases, from the OrganoVIR Labs at Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), this project brings together 7 academic institutions and 12 associated partners from across Europe.

Within MERIT, researchers will take a new, holistic approach that focuses on infections and host metabolism to unravel virus-induced metabolic reprogramming and its impact on human health. The project’s objective lies in understanding the complex interplay between viruses and host cells, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, and long-term consequences of infection. This will be achieved by combining three methodological pillars: human organoids, integrative and spatial omics, and advanced microscopy.

About the role
The project aims to bridge the gap between biosafety guidelines and everyday laboratory practice by strengthening the implementation of safety measures. Using an implementation science approach, the project will systematically identify behavioural, social, and organisational determinants of compliance, and translate these into tailored, context-sensitive implementation strategies.

Through qualitative and mixed methods research (e.g. literature reviews, interviews, questionnaires including discrete choice experiments or vignettes, and observations) the project will map the key drivers and barriers of safety behaviour. Building on these insights, it will explore how these determinants shape the mechanisms through which implementation strategies work, and under which conditions they are most effective and sustainable.

In close collaboration with laboratory staff, including doctoral candidates and supervisors, suitable implementation strategies will be selected and tailored to local workflows, resources, and safety culture, and subsequently piloted in real-world laboratory settings. Ultimately, the project aims to enhance biosafety, research quality, and public trust in high-risk pathogen research.

At the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, MERIT is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Package 2. As DC2, your objectives are:

• To identify behavioural, social, and organisational determinants of compliance with safety measures through literature review, interviews, questionnaires (discrete choice models or vignettes), and observations
• To explore how these determinants influence mechanisms through which implementation strategies work
• To work together with laboratory staff, DCs and supervisors to select and tailor implementation strategies
• To pilot and evaluate these strategies in real-world laboratory settings across multiple EU institutions, focusing on their feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness and their potential to strengthen compliance with biosafety practice.

You will be guided during your research project by Dr. Rosa van Mansfeld, Dr. Mireille Dekker and Dr. Adithya Sridhar. You can apply for this position until 30 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Profile

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences, health sciences or related fields
• Demonstrable affinity with qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)
• An interest in working in a multidisciplinary research group
• Have not resided/carried out work or studies in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 April 2027.

Our offer

• A contract with the Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years (probation of 6 months).
• The opportunity to work with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• Planned secondments in Poland (JU), Innsbruck (MUI) and Sweden (KI).
• Training in safety and biosecurity aligned with international best practices. You will be trained in hazard identification, containment, incident reporting, and dual-use/gain-of-function issues.
• An opportunity to take part in a tailor-made pre-MBA programme to develop entrepreneurial and commercial skills and other network-wide training opportunities including conferences and courses, a Personal Development Plan, non-academic coaching, and workshops on topics including ethics and sustainability and AI/LLM.
• Gross monthly salary ranging from €3,217 to €4,077 (in accordance with CAO-UMC, OIO scale 10).
• A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of the gross annual salary.
• 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each. Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme.

About the workplace
The Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, houses the university hospital and the medical faculty of the University of Amsterdam, as well as several research institutes.

The research group Implementation of Infection Prevention (IIP) is embedded within the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention (MMI) and is affiliated with OrganoVIR Labs. The research group IIP collaborates with the Amsterdam Immunity and Infection Institute,the Amsterdam Public Health research institute, and other (inter)national researchers.

From various perspectives, we focus on improving infection prevention in healthcare. Our scientific research integrates knowledge and insights from fields such as implementation science and behavioural science.

The OrganoVIR Labs is uniquely embedded within both the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention (MMI) and the Department of Pediatrics and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Immunity and Infection Institute (AIII), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D), and Emma Centre for Personalized Medicine (Emma CPM). This multidisciplinary positioning fosters close collaboration between fundamental, translational, and clinical research.

Let's meet
Please apply via the MERIT website: Doctoral Candidate 2 Vacancy — MERIT

PhD: Mechanisms of HIV-induced neurodegeneration (MCSA)

About the project
MERIT (MEtabolic Reprogramming in viral pathogenesis: from Infection to Therapeutic innovations) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at better understanding how viruses affect the human body. Coordinated by Dr. Adithya Sridhar, Assistant Professor, and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt, Professor of Pediatric Infectious diseases, from the OrganoVIR Labs at Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), this project brings together 7 academic institutions and 12 associated partners from across Europe.

Within MERIT, researchers will take a new, holistic approach that focuses on infections and host metabolism to unravel virus-induced metabolic reprogramming and its impact on human health. The project’s objective lies in understanding the complex interplay between viruses and host cells, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, and long-term consequences of infection. This will be achieved by combining three methodological pillars: human organoids, integrative and spatial omics, and advanced microscopy.

About the role
Despite effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), individuals living with HIV experience neurocognitive impairments, collectively known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The neuropathological changes observed in HAND are also found in neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. A common link between HAND and NDDs is disrupted lipid metabolism, with HAND patients exhibiting increased amyloid-beta deposition. Clinical data suggest that TDP-43 proteinopathy may contribute to HAND, further linking it to NDDs. This project aims to explore these connections using iPSC-derived microglia-embedded brain organoids. By characterising lipid profile changes following HIV infections and investigating TDP-43 proteinopathy, we seek to identify potential mechanisms underlying HAND.

At the Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, MERIT is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1 and 2. As DC7, your objectives are:

• To characterise lipidomic profiles of HIV-infected brain organoids compared to healthy organoids
• To assess and alter TDP-43 proteinopathy in HIV-infected organoids

You will be guided during your research project by Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt and Dr. Renata Vieira de Sá at the OrganoVIR Labs at the Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands. You can apply for this position until 30 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Profile

• A motivated PhD candidate with an academic qualification (MSc or MD, or close to completion) in one of these disciplines: in (bio)medical sciences, biology, cell biology, biotechnology, or a closely related field and has a solid foundation in molecular and cellular biology as well as immunology
• Expertise in one or more of the following fields: virology, (3D) cell culture, tissue engineering.
• Experience with experimental laboratory techniques relevant to the field, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)
• Have not resided/carried out work or studies in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 April 2027.

Our offer

• A contract with the Amsterdam UMC for 36 hours per week for 4 years (probation of 6 months).
• The opportunity to work on large-scale and in-house research with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• Planned secondments in International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) & Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).
• Training in safety and biosecurity aligned with international best practices. You will be trained in hazard identification, containment, incident reporting, and dual-use/gain-of-function issues.
• An opportunity to take part in a tailor-made pre-MBA programme to develop entrepreneurial and commercial skills and other network-wide training opportunities including conferences and courses, a Personal Development Plan, non-academic coaching, and workshops on topics including ethics and sustainability and AI/LLM.
• Gross monthly salary ranging from €3,217 to €4,077 (in accordance with CAO-UMC, OIO scale 10).
• A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of the gross annual salary.
• 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each. Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme.

About the workplace
The Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, houses the university hospital and the medical faculty of the University of Amsterdam, as well as several research institutes.

The OrganoVIR Labs is uniquely embedded within both the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention (MMI) and the Department of Pediatrics and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Immunity and Infection Institute (AIII), Amsterdam Reproduction and Development (AR&D), and Emma Centre for Personalized Medicine (Emma CPM). This multidisciplinary positioning fosters close collaboration between fundamental, translational, and clinical research.

OrganoVIR Labs has access to various advanced facilities including level 3, state-of-the-art molecular biology and culture facilities and access to high-throughput sequencing. Through its integration with the Department of Pediatrics, OrganoVIR Labs also benefits from extensive clinical expertise in the care of children with a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions. The department’s multidisciplinary approach and extensive clinical expertise support the translation of research findings into improved outcomes for pediatric patients.

Let's meet
Please apply via the MERIT website: Doctoral Candidate 7 Vacancy — MERIT

Research Software Engineer

Do you want to contribute to the innovations shaping the future of sustainable horticulture and agriculture? As a Research Software Engineer, you will develop applications, data solutions, and software building blocks that support our research and innovation projects.

You could be working on autonomous greenhouse control, ranging from climate management to robotics for crop scouting or crop maintenance. You will also help improve the standardization, accessibility, and reuse of data from greenhouses and field experiments, enabling stronger insights across projects.

Working closely with researchers and industry partners, you will help transform ideas into practical digital solutions while ensuring they remain reliable, scalable, and reusable.

Your duties and responsibilities as a research software engineer include:

• develop software tools and applications for research, experimentation, and decision support both for colleagues and growers;
• build and maintain data infrastructures, databases, and integrations between control systems and sensors;
• develop dashboards and analytics solutions that turn research data into actionable insights for colleagues and our customers;
• collaborate with researchers and project partners to translate scientific and operational needs into software solutions;
• enable the long-term reuse, scalability, and quality of software and data solutions across multiple projects.

Your team
You will be part of the Greenhouse Automation and Robotics team, a multidisciplinary group that combines expertise in AI, sensor technology, and robotics. The team develops innovative solutions for both greenhouse horticulture and open-field agriculture.

You will work in an environment where collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation are at the core, with plenty of opportunities to take initiative and turn new ideas into reality. This provides an inspiring and supportive workplace with a strong connection between technology and real-world agricultural applications.

Your primary workplace will be Wageningen, where you will be based for most of your work. Depending on project needs, you may also spend time at other locations, such as Bleiswijk or field sites where experiments and trials are conducted.