Mortuarium- en obductiemedewerker

Als mortuariummedewerker-obductieassistent zorg je dat alles rondom een overlijden in het mortuarium zorgvuldig verloopt. Je hebt oog voor de praktische werkzaamheden én voor de mensen die te maken hebben met het verlies van een dierbare. Daarbij werk je zelfstandig en stem je regelmatig af met collega’s, andere afdelingen en uitvaartorganisaties.

• Je verzorgt overledenen, controleert de bijbehorende formulieren en zorgt dat alle benodigde handelingen zorgvuldig worden uitgevoerd.
• Je ontvangt en begeleidt familieleden tijdens rouwbezoek en verzorgt de uitgifte van overledenen aan uitvaartorganisaties.
• Je houdt de administratie en het archief bij en voert de bijbehorende schoonmaakwerkzaamheden uit.
• Na verloop van tijd leer je hoe je obducties voorbereidt, hierbij assisteert en de werkzaamheden na een obductie zorgvuldig afrondt.
• Afhankelijk van je kennis en ervaring kun je ook werkzaamheden uitvoeren op laboratoria van de afdeling Pathologie.

In deze functie krijg je dagelijks te maken met overledenen en nabestaanden die zich in een ingrijpende situatie bevinden. Juist op zulke momenten zijn rust, duidelijke communicatie en aandacht belangrijk. Je weet professioneel en respectvol te handelen, ook wanneer situaties onverwacht of emotioneel verlopen. Tegelijkertijd houd je overzicht over de werkzaamheden die moeten worden uitgevoerd.

Postdoctoral Researcher – ALS Protein Biology & Pathway Discovery

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Our research team uses human genetics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to discover ALS-associated genes, cell states and molecular pathways. Establishing how these discoveries manifest at the protein level is essential to understanding their contribution to ALS pathology and uncovering mechanisms not resolved by genetic and transcriptomic data alone. The key objective of this position is to identify points of convergence in molecular functions and pathways that represent promising targets for further research.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will investigate these questions using two complementary approaches: protein-level characterization of human ALS tissue and molecular/cellular studies in neuronal models.

In postmortem ALS spinal cord and brain tissue, you will investigate the cellular and subcellular localization of disease-associated proteins and characterize pathological cell states and pathway alterations. An important aim will be to determine whether newly implicated ALS genes exhibit distinctive pathological signatures, providing insights into disease mechanisms and opportunities for biomarker discovery. You will work to establish high-dimensional multiplexed protein imaging using the MACSima platform, working closely with a research technician to develop antibody panels and optimize staining protocols. These approaches will enable quantitative investigation of protein-level changes across cell types and pathological states.

Complementing these tissue-based investigations, you will examine the molecular and cellular consequences of newly discovered ALS-associated genes in neuronal models. Our team has established CRISPR-engineered iPSC lines carrying ALS-associated variants, alongside matched isogenic controls. Working with iPSC-derived motor neurons generated and differentiated by collaborators within the ALS center, you will focus on downstream molecular and biochemical characterization, including immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and protein analysis. A key focus of these studies will be understanding microtubule organization and function in post-mitotic neurons, with opportunities to explore associated functional consequences.

Close collaboration and active mentorship of junior researchers are vital components of this position. Alongside your own experimental research, you will support the scientific and technical development of PhD and MSc students, helping to plan experiments, troubleshoot challenges and interpret findings. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will help shape experimental strategies, develop new approaches and advance shared research objectives, with opportunities to take a leading scientific role in resulting publications.

Research technician at Experimental Cardiology

The Experimental Cardiology group at UMC Utrecht is seeking a research technician to produce, purify, and characterize engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) for cardiac gene therapy applications and evaluate their therapeutic potential in preclinical models. You will combine mammalian cell culture, EV manufacturing and purification, and molecular assays to support the development and evaluation of innovative gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases. You will take responsibility for your own experimental work while coordinating with colleagues to support shared research goals. You will also work with the team to improve experimental methods and contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

EV-manufacturing and purification

• Maintain mammalian cell cultures
• Perform large scale EV productions
• Apply purification techniques such as tangential flow filtration and chromatography.
• Characterize EVs for particle size, cargo, concentration, purity, and protein composition.
• Optimize EV manufacturing and purification workflows together with researchers and other technicians in the team.

Molecular biology and gene-editing analysis

• Perform DNA, RNA, and protein isolation from cells and biological samples.
• Evaluate gene-editing efficiency using sequencing-based methods.
• Conduct biochemical and cell-based assays, including Western blotting, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-based analyses.
• Experience with immune cell isolation and immunological assay would be considered a pre.
• Analyze, interpret and present experimental results.

Laboratory operations

• Independently plan, execute, and troubleshoot experiments, aligning priorities and timelines with the research team and communicating progress and challenges proactively.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and laboratory documentation.
• Contribute to protocol optimization and SOP development.
• Support laboratory maintenance, inventory management, and compliance with biosafety standards.

Postdoctoral Researcher – ALS Protein Biology & Pathway Discovery

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Our research team uses human genetics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to discover ALS-associated genes, cell states and molecular pathways. Establishing how these discoveries manifest at the protein level is essential to understanding their contribution to ALS pathology and uncovering mechanisms not resolved by genetic and transcriptomic data alone. The key objective of this position is to identify points of convergence in molecular functions and pathways that represent promising targets for further research.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will investigate these questions using two complementary approaches: protein-level characterization of human ALS tissue and molecular/cellular studies in neuronal models.

In postmortem ALS spinal cord and brain tissue, you will investigate the cellular and subcellular localization of disease-associated proteins and characterize pathological cell states and pathway alterations. An important aim will be to determine whether newly implicated ALS genes exhibit distinctive pathological signatures, providing insights into disease mechanisms and opportunities for biomarker discovery. You will work to establish high-dimensional multiplexed protein imaging using the MACSima platform, working closely with a research technician to develop antibody panels and optimize staining protocols. These approaches will enable quantitative investigation of protein-level changes across cell types and pathological states.

Complementing these tissue-based investigations, you will examine the molecular and cellular consequences of newly discovered ALS-associated genes in neuronal models. Our team has established CRISPR-engineered iPSC lines carrying ALS-associated variants, alongside matched isogenic controls. Working with iPSC-derived motor neurons generated and differentiated by collaborators within the ALS center, you will focus on downstream molecular and biochemical characterization, including immunocytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and protein analysis. A key focus of these studies will be understanding microtubule organization and function in post-mitotic neurons, with opportunities to explore associated functional consequences.

Close collaboration and active mentorship of junior researchers are vital components of this position. Alongside your own experimental research, you will support the scientific and technical development of PhD and MSc students, helping to plan experiments, troubleshoot challenges and interpret findings. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will help shape experimental strategies, develop new approaches and advance shared research objectives, with opportunities to take a leading scientific role in resulting publications.

Research technician at Experimental Cardiology

The Experimental Cardiology group at UMC Utrecht is seeking a research technician to produce, purify, and characterize engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) for cardiac gene therapy applications and evaluate their therapeutic potential in preclinical models. You will combine mammalian cell culture, EV manufacturing and purification, and molecular assays to support the development and evaluation of innovative gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases. You will take responsibility for your own experimental work while coordinating with colleagues to support shared research goals. You will also work with the team to improve experimental methods and contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

EV-manufacturing and purification

• Maintain mammalian cell cultures
• Perform large scale EV productions
• Apply purification techniques such as tangential flow filtration and chromatography.
• Characterize EVs for particle size, cargo, concentration, purity, and protein composition.
• Optimize EV manufacturing and purification workflows together with researchers and other technicians in the team.

Molecular biology and gene-editing analysis

• Perform DNA, RNA, and protein isolation from cells and biological samples.
• Evaluate gene-editing efficiency using sequencing-based methods.
• Conduct biochemical and cell-based assays, including Western blotting, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-based analyses.
• Experience with immune cell isolation and immunological assay would be considered a pre.
• Analyze, interpret and present experimental results.

Laboratory operations

• Independently plan, execute, and troubleshoot experiments, aligning priorities and timelines with the research team and communicating progress and challenges proactively.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and laboratory documentation.
• Contribute to protocol optimization and SOP development.
• Support laboratory maintenance, inventory management, and compliance with biosafety standards.