Physician-researcher doctoral network MENTOR

As a physician-researcher you will contribute to the MSCA MENTOR Doctoral Network - MENTOR - Metabolic control of cell growth by mTOR in health and disease: a multi-disciplinary training.

The training network MENTOR focuses on the mTOR (mammalian/mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin) network, a central signaling hub that integrates, nutritional cues and controls cell growth and metabolism. Aberrant mTOR activity underlies a wide range of pathologies, including age-related diseases with high incidence such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes as well as rare genetic conditions, termed mTORopathies, characterized by tumor formation, polycystic kidneys, and brain manifestations. New mechanistic insights into mTORopathies will improve treatment for people living with rare conditions through strategies of personalized medicine and will open new therapeutic avenues for severe age-related pathologies.

The program involves 18 doctoral candidates, aiming to advance research and treatment of mTORopathies while impacting cancer, metabolic syndromes, and aging-related conditions.

Your project at UMC Utrecht will investigate metabolic markers and neurological symptoms in patients with mTOR-related epilepsy, focusing on tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and GATOR1 epilepsy. The goal is to understand metabolic disruptions, their interaction with mTORC1, and clinical manifestations, ultimately identifying new therapeutic targets.

UMC Utrecht is an NFU-endorsed national referral center for rare and complex epilepsies, including epilepsy surgery, and a full member of the European Reference Network EpiCARE.

The Epilepsy Research Group focuses on personalized diagnosis, treatment, and outcome prediction for epilepsy, including TSC and GATOR1-related epilepsy. We develop novel gene therapies using advanced lab techniques, study the impact of genetic background on disease progression, and implement innovative trial designs such as n-of-1 therapies to assess targeted treatments, including mTOR inhibitors for GATOR1-related epilepsy.

We collaborate closely with neonatology, neurosurgery, radiology, and neuropathology departments, as well as SEIN, other UMCs, and international partners, including EpiCARE, U-TASK, GOSH/UCL London, MOTOL Prague, University Hospitals Lyon, and the ILAE and EpiPGX consortia.

• Master degree in Medicine.
• Commitment to work in the proposed research field with good communication skills, flexibility and enthusiasm.
• Proficiency in Dutch and English, sufficient understanding, reading and writing skills of Dutch language.

Do you recognize yourself in the above points and does the vacancy appeal to you? Then we look forward to receiving your application. Do NOT apply via the blue apply button on this website, but via the MENTOR website. The application process will be facilitated through the MENTOR website with the deadline for submission set for March 28, 2025. Please read the mobility requirements.

Selection will take place in April 2025.

• A physician-researcher position starting between 1-7-2025 and 1-9-2025, for a period of 36 months.
• A starting salary of 3939 euros gross per month.
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8%. 
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (DN) program provides interdisciplinary and international PhD training opportunities, fostering career development for early-stage researchers. Funded by the EU, it promotes mobility, collaboration, and skills enhancement across academia and industry.
• You will join a distinguished team of researchers engaged in cutting-edge projects across a range of disciplines from metabolism, cell growth, pathophysiology, drug design, preclinical models and personalized medicine. The selected candidates will have the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary environment, receive comprehensive training, and benefit from mentorship provided by leading experts in their respective fields.
• In addition there is opportunity for personal development by a large exposure of courses via the Graduate School of Life Sciences of the University of Utrecht.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution. 
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Are you coming on foot, by bike or by car? You will then receive a reimbursement of € 0.18 per km (by car up to a max. of 40 km one way).