Research Technician

How can we better understand why some tumors respond to cancer treatment while others do not? And how can we use patient-derived tumor models to develop more personalized treatment strategies? At the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), the Voest Group at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) studies tumor biology and treatment response with the aim of bringing personalized medicine closer to patients.

Our research combines genomics, tumor organoids and immune-based models to investigate how individual tumors respond to therapy and how cancer cells interact with the immune system.

To support this research, we are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Research Technician to join our multidisciplinary and international team. In this role, you will play an important part in ongoing research projects and work closely with PhD students, postdocs and other members of the group.

Are you an experienced technician with a strong interest in cancer research and hands-on experience with organoids? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative research environment, taking ownership of your experiments and contributing to research that could make a difference for patients? Then we would love to hear from you!

What will you do?

As a Research Technician in the Voest Group, you will support several research projects focused on tumor biology, precision medicine and cancer immunology. A significant part of your work will involve culturing and maintaining patient-derived tumor organoids and using these models in functional experiments. Your activities will include:

• Culturing and maintaining patient-derived tumor organoids
• Processing and handling patient-derived tissue samples and tissue fragments
• Performing molecular biology techniques, including qPCR, transfection, lentiviral work and cloning
• Performing flow cytometry experiments and assisting with data collection and analysis
• Supporting experiments investigating interactions between tumor cells and immune cells
• Working closely with researchers to plan, perform and optimize experiments
• Contributing to the organization and maintenance of the laboratory, including ordering reagents and maintaining laboratory stocks
• Training and supporting colleagues in techniques and protocols when appropriate

You will have the opportunity to work on different projects and to further develop your technical expertise in a dynamic research environment.

Science is at the heart of everything we do at the NKI. But breakthroughs don't happen through science alone; they happen through people – curious minds, bold thinkers, people who challenge assumptions and turn complex questions into meaningful discoveries. Around 600 scientists, together with 150 scientific and 150 administrative professionals, work here across the full spectrum of cancer research, from fundamental science to clinical innovation.

With roughly 55 nationalities represented, we form a vibrant international community where English is our shared language and every voice carries equal weight. Our institute sits just 15 minutes by bike from the heart of Amsterdam.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person who enjoys hands-on laboratory work and is comfortable working independently as well as as part of a team. You have:

• A Bachelor’s, HLO, Master’s or equivalent degree in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences or a related field
• Hands-on experience withcell culture and, in particular, tumor organoid culture
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, transfection, lentiviral work and cloning (must)
• Preferably experience with handling and processing patient-derived tissue samples
• Preferably experience with flow cytometry
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail
• The…