PhD Position: Mechanobiology of immune cells in native tissue

Your job

Are you a highly motivated, curious researcher who is captivated by immune cell biology? Are you fascinated by interdisciplinary research on the interface of biology and physics? If you're eager to explore immune cell behavior using cutting-edge technologies like microfluidics, advanced microscopy, and mechanobiology tools, this could be the PhD opportunity for you!

Immune cells are highly dynamic, and mechanical forces have emerged as regulators of key immune functions. In the Vorselen Lab, we develop new biophysical technologies to tune the physical stimuli that cells receive and assess cellular forces, and combine this with high-resolution microscopy and cellular perturbations. This combination provides a detailed readout of immune cell behavior and helps us understand the regulation of immune processes by physical forces in health and disease. We primarily focus on innate immune processes and phagocytosis speficially.

This project focuses on advancing cellular force-sensing technology. The goals are to precisely measure immune forces and interrogate macrophage dynamics in complex 3D environments, including in live zebrafish embryos.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop a novel force sensor able to detect cellular forces with high sensitivity in vivo;
• Determine the dynamics of immune cells in native tissue through in vivo studies in zebrafish embryos,
• Delineate how immune cell dynamics are governed by physical tissue properties, such as cellular confinement;

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Cell Biology & Immunology group. You will be directly supervised by Dr. Daan Vorselen (CBI). You will work in a small team. This project offers ample opportunities for local and international collaboration, guaranteeing a dynamic working environment. 

Your qualities

The ideal candidate has the following qualities:

• A successfully completed MSc degree in physical sciences, bioengineering, biotechnology, or a related discipline;
• Strong and proven affinity with interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology and physics;
• Work experience with fluorescence microscopy, microfluidics, zebrafish and/or immune cell culture;
• Good quantitative skills;
• Proficiency in programming is a pre;
• Excellent communication skills in English (both oral and written).

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.872,- per month rising to € 3.670,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Daan Vorselen by e-mail daan.vorselen@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Ine van’t Land, corporate recruiter by e-mail recruitment.asg@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including Decemer 16th, 2024

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.