PhD student: Improved detection of kidney disease Groningen • UMC Groningen

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects ~10% of the global population. CKD is among the few non-communicable diseases that show a globally increasing trend in premature mortality. In Europe, CKD-associated costs are 140 billion euros/year, exceeding diabetes and cancer. The course of CKD progression can be substantially modified by timely intervention. However, early detection of kidney damage is currently suboptimal. The aim of this project, funded by a prestigious European Research Council (ERC)-consolidator grant, is to develop new methods for earlier and more accurate detection of kidney damage. We have various large and well-characterized cohorts of kidney patients and healthy individuals. Using transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics data, we will develop novel algorithms to identify those at risk of developing kidney damage. For this project we are searching for one PhD student.

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest medical centers in The Netherlands. More than 12,000 employees provide patient care and medical education and perform biomedical research. The Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the UMCG is among the leading centers in the world in the field of kidney research. The environment is ambitious, dynamic, and international, with state-of-the-art facilities. There is a relatively large and social group of PhD students ready to welcome you. You will have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research and to work with renowned scientists in the field of nephrology and medical biology. You will also participate in a range of courses offered by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences. The aim of the PhD program is to prepare candidates for a career as independent scientist, while the post-doc will develop further as an independent scientist towards establishing your own research group.

• You are a highly motivated candidate with an interest in single and multi-omics and machine learning.
• You have an MSc in Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry or a related field.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• You have the ability to work in a research group.
• Experience in the field of nephrology is an advantage, as is experience with bio-informatics.

PhD position: We offer a full-time appointment (36 hours a week) for a period of up to four years. The preferred starting date is September 1st, 2025 . Your salary will be a minimum of € 3.108,- gross per month in the first year and a maximum of € 3.939 ,- gross per month (PhD salary scale) in the final year, based on a full-time appointment. Additionally, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus.The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Links
UMCG Research transplantlines
RUG news in search of new ways to diagnose kidney damage