Working environment
The researcher will be embedded within the staff of the Department of Pathology & Medical Biology at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). The department consists of approximately 250 employees, who collectively strive to deliver top-level patient care, conduct innovative translational and applied research, offer state-of-the-art education, and demonstrate clinical and scientific leadership. The department holds a leading position nationally and internationally in molecular diagnostics, digital pathology and biomedical research, supported by high-quality infrastructure and facilities. In addition, it actively participates in the highly regarded educational curricula for medicine, dentistry, and biomedical sciences, and offers internships for higher professional (HBO) and secondary vocational (MBO) training programs.
The staff of the department includes 45 colleagues, among them 18 pathologists, 6 clinical molecular biologists, and 21 research staff members. Within the Research line “Translational Models of Tissue Damage and Regeneration”, the team consists of 4 staff members: two full professors, one associate professor and one assistant professor, with backgrounds in Biomedical Sciences and Immunology. This diverse and multidisciplinary team combines broad expertise with strong internal and external collaborations, including close links with the departments of Pulmonary Diseases, Intensive Care, Epidemiology, Molecular Pharmacology and Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology (BBT) , as well as with many national and international research groups. The four PIs and their research groups focus on tissue damage and repair across a range of pathophysiological processes. Their shared objective is to perform innovative, translational and multidisciplinary research, aimed at improving our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of age-related chronic diseases.
The team works with great enthusiasm, commitment and dedication employing advanced cellular and molecular techniques. Central to this work is the use of human-derived, patient-specific 3D models that reflect the complexity of human tissues and their microenvironment, including organoids, organ-on-chip systems, and native human tissue-derived hydrogels. These models are validated and integrated with patient data through multi-omic approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics and advanced imaging, with the ultimate goal to elucidate disease mechanisms and identifying novel therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases, including COPD, fibrosis and diabetes. A key element of the department’s mission is the transfer of knowledge and passion for research to the next generation, by educating, inspiring and mentoring talented young scientists.