PhD Student: cardiovascular disease after cancer therapy

Project

Remarkable innovations in cancer therapy have dramatically improved outcomes and life expectancy after cancer. Some cancer treatments, however, also increase the risk of serious cardiovascular disease in the long-term. Our group is focused on discovering the factors that modify the risk of cardiovascular disease after cancer therapy. Using data from large cohorts of cancer survivors, we integrate genetics and clinical data to understand treatment-associated cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular care for long-term cancer survivors.

Your role

You will work with an interdisciplinary, international team to understand the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease after cancer therapy.

Depending on your background, your analytic tasks may include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1) identify genetic factors that interact with treatment to increase risk of cardiovascular disease; 2) develop methods to collect and link multimodal clinical and cardiovascular imaging data; 3) develop statistical models to identify high- and low-risk cancer survivors. In addition to analytic tasks, you will also play a central role in the collection and interpretation of research data collected at multiple sites.

Interdisciplinary team

You will be a key player in an interdisciplinary research team that includes epidemiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, cardiologists, statisticians, and medical physicists. You will have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on your work during regular meetings within the Division of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology at NKI. This is a highly collaborative environment including group leaders, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers.

The group of dr. Gordon (Gordie) Watt focuses on the genetic epidemiology of cancer late effects. You will also have the opportunity to work with accomplished colleagues in other areas of cancer research.

Why the Netherlands Cancer Institute?

At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we all want the same thing: to make a difference in the world of cancer together. Quite something but not impossible. Here, science and care work together on innovation. Time and again, we find new ways to help people with cancer worldwide. Here we save lives, gain time and quality. Thanks to the latest techniques and, above all, to our finest talents who are curious, precise, warm, go-getters and team players.

We are seeking an ambitious, creative scientist, with:

• A strong interest in epidemiology and public health;

• A degree or expertise in bioinformatics, epidemiology, genetics, or a related field;

• Experience in statistical modelling and/or machine learning methods;

• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical programming languages (e.g. R, Python, MATLAB); familiarity with command-line interpreters is a plus;

• Good cross-disciplinary communication skills;

• Training or experience working with genetic data is a plus.
  
  

Your development opportunities and employment conditions

The basis for your employment conditions is in accordance with the CLA Hospitals. You will receive from us:

• You will join a dynamic international research division;

• You will collaborate with scientists and clinicians with expertise in different disciplines from around the world;

• You will have the opportunity to follow high-quality courses offered by the NKI PhD program;

• Your temporary employment will be for a period of 4 years;

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.665,- and € 4.450,-, (as of August 1st, in accordance with the CLA) based on a 36-hour working week, in line with the PhD scale and depending on your experience;

• 144 holiday hours and 57 hours of Personal Life Budget, with full-time employment;

• Annual holiday pay of 8.33% and a fixed end-of-year bonus of 8.33%;

• A travel allowance of €0.23 per km;

• Free parking at the Netherlands Cancer Institute is also part of the package;

• Personnel is stimulated to use public transport and bicycle and therefore we offer an interesting arrangement for bikers;

• Amsterdam is a stunning city with many cultural amenities. The institute is located within a 20-minute tram or bicycle ride from the center of Amsterdam and within 20 minutes from Schiphol airport by car, bus or bicycle.

Interested?

Apply by the 'Apply now' button at the bottom of the page. Your application letter (maximum 1 page), CV and contact information of 2 references can be attached to the application form. Ensure that your references information is attached together with your application letter, as there is no option to submit them separately.

Deadline:

This vacancy is open for application until July 31st.

For further information about the position please contact Gordon Watt via g.watt@nki.nl .

The Netherlands Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.