PhD position in "Modifying Synapses to Mitigate Alzheimer's Disease"

Are you interested in the neurobiological processes of learning and memory, and how we can use this knowledge to make the brain more resilient to the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? Then this position might be perfect for you. Join us!
Join us!
Glutamatergic synapses are critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The composition of their receptors can modulate resilience and sensitivity to memory deficits, in particular those induced by amyloid beta (Aβ), a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease. In this project you will investigate whether and how modifying the composition of glutamatergic receptors at synapses, using both molecular tools and behavioral interventions, can reduce age-related cognitive decline in and thereby enhance resilience to AD pathology. In addition, you will study the role of engram cell ensembles in this process.
The position is embedded within the Memory and Plasticity team of dr. Harm Krugers at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam (UvA). This is a collaborative project with Prof. dr. Helmut Kessels (Cellular and Circuit Neuroscience group, UvAmsterdam) and Prof. dr. Paul J Lucassen (Brain Plasticity group, UvAmsterdam). The PhD candidate works in the respective groups where complementary and excellent expertise is available (e.g. electrophysiology will be combined with chemogenetics and behavioral interventions).
This is what you will do
You will use behavioral paradigms to assess learning and memory in a rodent model of AD. You will apply viral technologies to identify and measure the properties of synapses and engram cells and establish their role in memory. These techniques can include electrophysiology, proteomics, dendrite and spine reconstructions, chemogenetics, and memory engram-specific interventions.
Tasks and responsibilities:
complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
gain knowledge of the field through literature, discussions with team members and internal lab meetings;
contribute to the design of experiments, perform experiments in the lab and analyse and interpret results of these experiments;
take a leading role in writing manuscripts;
be an active member of the research teams at both the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (UvA) and present results at (inter)national scientific meetings;
participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training programme;
assist in teaching and supervise Bachelor and Master’s students
What we ask of you
You are excited about science and have a particular interest in, and preferably have experience with neurobiological approaches towards learning and memory. You like a challenge and can combine work on preclinical rodent models with techniques like behaviour, electrophysiology, molecular biology and structural analysis. You have good statistical skills and experience with molecular tools and data-analysis. You are a team player and a pleasant colleague who enjoys being part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists. Finally, you have good time management skills enabling you to meet the projects’ deadlines for finishing analyses, reports and other deliverables.
Your experience and profile:
experience with learning and memory research.
a MSc degree in Neuroscience or related fields;
affinity and experience with performing animal experiments;
affinity and experience with common behavioural and/or neurobiological techniques;
good analytical, writing and presenting skills;
fluent in English, both written and spoken and the willingness to learn Dutch (in case not Dutch native speaker)
This is what we offer you
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date of the project, which should lead to a PhD thesis, is 4 January 2027. We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3.204in the first year to €4.051 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate applicable. The
Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands
is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
a complete educational program for PhD students;
a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look
here
.
You will work in this team
The
Faculty of Science
has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
Krugers and Kessels are respectively part of the
Brain Plasticity group
and the
Cellular and Circuit Neuroscience group
(at the
Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences
(SILS). SILS is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, the Swammerdam Institute carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavor, food & agricultural, and high-tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about
working at
the University of Amsterdam.
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 30 October 2026.
If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:
Dr. Harm J Krugers,
h.krugers@uva.nl
Prof. dr. H Kessels,
h.w.h.g.kessels@uva.nl
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience, highlighting also the tools and skills you acquired;
a letter of motivation;
the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details:
national knowledge security guidelines)
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
The interviews will be held in November 2026.