Postdoc Scientist

Job descriptionDo you want to help transform healthcare from its very beginning? “THE BEST START”Join us in SHAPING THE FUTURE of reproductive & genomic medicine by developing cutting-edge genomic and AI technologies. Make your mark by contributing to life-changing science that improves healthcare from the very beginning of life.The Laboratory of Cellular Genomic Medicine (CGM, www.zamanilab.org), part of the Department of Clinical Genetics at Maastricht UMC+, is recruiting a postdoc to support its multidisciplinary research program. The laboratory also collaborates closely with other UMCs across the Netherlands and leading international institutions, including the Karolinska Institute, providing a vibrant network of expertise and opportunities for collaboration.Our lab develops and applies advanced single-cell and liquid biopsy genomic and AI-driven technologies to improve reproductive and early-life healthcare. The lab pioneers clinical-grade sequencing technologies for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). We integrate molecular biology, sequencing, and generative AI technologies to deliver innovative off-the-shelf solutions ready for diagnostic implementation. The Laboratory of Cellular Genomic Medicine forms a dynamic link between MUMC+ and the GROW Research Institute, offering you the opportunity to work in a vibrant environment at the crossroads of clinical care, pioneering research & innovation. See the PI’s vision and hope here.ResponsibilitiesAs a senior Postdoc scientist in our team you will manage your own project(s), mentor junior staff, collaborate across disciplines (lab specialists, bioinformaticians, clinicians), publish in high-impact journals, willingness to travel within Marie Curie Staff exchange schemes, and contribute to grant writing and acquisition of funding.(depending on your background) Single-cell multi-omics and spatial omics data analyses(depending on your background) Image processingDevelopment and application of AI/machine learning methods to genomic/imaging/cellular dataConducting translational projects in reproductive medicine, prenatal diagnostics, or rare diseaseComputational works and code documentation with clinical-grade reproducibility standardsHelp with supervision of (PhD) students within the labWriting and submission of research protocols to the local and national ethics committeesWillingness to write and contribute to personal and consortium grant applicationsTake teaching responsibilities of the group (0.1-0.2 DTE)Three key relevant publications*Janssen, A.E.J. et al. Clinical-grade whole genome sequencing-based haplarithmisis enables all forms of preimplantation genetic testing. (2024) Nature Communications, doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51508-1Essers, R. et al. The nature and prevalence of chromosomal alterations in first-trimester spontaneous pregnancy loss. (2023). Nature Medicine. doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02645-5.Zamani Esteki, M. et al. In vitro fertilization does not increase the incidence of de novo copy number alterations in fetal and placental lineages. (2019). Nature Medicine, 25(11):1699-1705. doi: 10.1038/s41591-019-0620-2.Your working environmentThe department of Clinical Genetics is focused on the diagnosis of and counselling about hereditary and congenital disorders as well as science and innovative technologies in genetic care. In the field of medical genome diagnostics, the clinical genetics laboratory plays a leading role in the Netherlands in reproductive genetics, including preimplantation and prenatal testing. The department includes an outpatient clinic, a large Diagnostic Clinical Genetics Laboratory (the only PGT laboratory and the largest NIPT laboratory in the Netherlands), as well as Science and Innovation laboratories, including laboratory of Cellular Genetic Medicine (CGM).CGM directly works with the diagnostic laboratory that provides specialized clinical genetic diagnostics in close collaboration with the Department of Genetics of Radboudumc in Nijmegen, within the Academic Alliance, through the use of innovative and data-intensive genetic technologies.At Clinical Genetics, patients can receive diagnostics and expertise in the following areas:Genetic counsellingPre- and postnatal chromosome analysisDNA testingNIPT screeningBasic biochemical diagnostics and enzyme testingPreimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)At CGM, we develop clinical-grade genetic tests, including all-in-one PGT and NIPT. AI-driven imaging and liquid biopsy technologies to enhance accuracy and accessibility of genetic testing in reproductive care.For more information, please visit our website: www.klinischegenetica.mumc.nl.Job requirementsWe are looking for candidates who satisfy most of the following:PhD in genomics, computational biology, Artificial Intelligence, or related field (completed or nearly complete);Strong track record (for Staff Scientist) or strong publication potential (for Postdoc) in relevant fields;Demonstrable skills in wet-lab or dry-lab methods, depending on project (e.g. hands-on molecular biology, cell culture, sequencing; or bioinformatics, ML/AI, data science);Experience in short- and/or long-read genome sequencing data analysis;Experience with multi-omics integration, single-cell or spatial transcriptomics is a strong plus;Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams;Excellent communication skills in English (Dutch is an advantage); ability to present work clearly and write manuscripts/grants;Stress resilience and the ability to chase competitive deadlines.SalaryDepending on your education and experience, the salary ranges from a minimum of € 4.818- to a maximum of € 6.594,- gross per month for a full-time position. This salary is excluding vacation allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual salary.ContractStart 1 year followed by 2 years elongation (3 years), with the possibility of permanent employment conform artikel 2.4.2 Cao umc.Our offerA young, vibrant and multiciliary environmentAn inspiring academic environment at Maastricht UMC+ and Maastricht UniversityOpportunities to contribute to high-impact translational research at the intersection of genetics and AI to enhance reproductive medicine and clinical careProfessional development, training opportunities, and exposure to international collaborationsFunded research visits to collaborators across Europe (incl. Sweden, Greece, Spain and Italy)Competitive salary and employment conditions according to CAO-UMC standardsQuestions?For more information about the position or the training and career development opportunities, you can contact Masoud Zamani Esteki at masoud.zamaniesteki@mumc.nl.Submit your CV, motivation letter, and contact details of at least three referees.For information about the application procedure, follow this link. General information about employment conditions and working at Maastricht UMC+ can be found here (Dutch only).Applications for this position can be submitted until 17 November.We recruit our candidates directly and do not work with external agencies for this vacancy.