Tumor-Microbiome Interactions Postdoc

Wet-Lab Postdoc in the Voest Lab (fully funded) — Understanding and targeting the microbiome to enhance immunotherapy response

We are recruiting a highly motivated wet-lab postdoctoral fellow to join a rapidly expanding microbiome research project. This project integrates large-scale metagenomic and metabolomic datasets to guide the rational development of novel bacteria consortia aimed at enhancing immune responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB).

This position offers excellent academic training alongside unique opportunities to collaborate closely with leading industry partners in the microbiome and immuno-oncology space. The postdoc will be a key contributor to a collaborative, team-driven project within the Voest group at the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

The successful candidate will experimentally assess and validate the functional capacity of individual bacterial species and defined microbial communities to modulate anti-tumor immune responses. This role has a strong in vitro focus, computational and in vivo experience will be highly valued. You will be expected to develop novel methodologies for the assessment of the impact of microbiota-derived metabolites on immune function and anti-tumor control.

In addition to contributing to a collaborative, team-driven research programme, there will be scope for the successful candidate to pursue independent scientific ideas aligned with the broader research goals. The role requires an innovative and critical mind to define key biological questions and design robust experimental strategies to address them. Moreover, you will:

Spearhead the development of in vitro model systems which will allow you to assess the impact of microbiota-derived metabolites on anti-tumor immunity.

Translate your findings to patient-derived organoids to define the optimal consortia composition for an anti-tumor immune response.

Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of immunologists, microbiologists, and industry partners to translate findings into potential.

Cutting-edge microbiome science
:
Be part of a fast-growing microbiome initiative aimed at developing microbiome-based strategies to improve responses to ICB.

Innovative experimental platforms
:
Develop and apply state of the art in vitro immune-microbiome models to unravel how microbiota-derived metabolites and defined bacterial communities modulate anti-tumor immunity.

Interdisciplinary collaboration: Join a highly collaborative environment linking microbiologists, immunologists, oncologists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians to tackle complex biological questions from multiple angles.

Translational impact
:
Close collaboration with an industry partner provides a direct link to translational research, with the shared goal of developing microbiome-based biotherapeutic products.

High-visibility research output
:
Support to publish in leading journals and present at major international conferences.

Career development and training: Structured mentorship, grant-writing support, leadership training, and opportunities to supervise students and technicians.

Independence and project ownership: Space to develop your own research ideas within the broader program and build an independent scientific profile.

World‑class ecosystem and mentorship
:
The NKI offers highly visible research groups and inspiring scientific mentors, strong core facilities and a vibrant international community in the heart of Amsterdam.

At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we have a shared goal: providing the best care for every patient and every type of cancer. Quite a lot, but not impossible. Here, science and health care join forces towards innovation. We keep finding new ways to help people facing cancer on a global scale. Here we save lives, gain time and quality.

PhD in biology, immunology, microbiology or a closely related field.

Hands‑on experience with in vitro assays relevant to immune function and anti-tumor immunity, supported by a broad experimental skillset.

A strong scientific curiosity about how the microbiome shapes immune responses and cancer therapy…