The European NUCLEAR project, funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network, is excited to announce an open position in our lab!
NUCLEAR is dedicated to shaping the next generation of experts in the emerging field of Metabolic Regulation of Genome Function and Cell Identity. As part of this pioneering project, you’ll contribute to fundamental research in stem cell biology and cancer studies.
Join our international network of European leaders in metabolomics, functional genomics, chromatin regulation, and stem cell biology!
Rationale and objectives:
The levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon correlate with lower Colorectal Cancer (CRC) risk. To gain a better understanding of how SCFAs impact on CRC cell type specification through signalling und epigenetic regulation, we plan:
- To apply tumour organoid live imaging of genetically encoded reporters to study the impact of SCFAs on cell type specification.
- To correlate influences with compartmental changes in ATP, NAD+/NADH and histone acetylation.
- To determine changes in gene expression, chromatin binding and structure in SCFAs-sensitive cell types.
Envisioned Secondments
The Doctoral Candidate will work in our lab in Utrecht, but is envisioned to receive two trainings abroad:
- CRG-CERCA (Sdelci lab, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain), month 18-21 (4 months) to train in chromatin proteomics and data analysis.
- IJC (Buschbeck lab, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Spain), month 22 (1 month) to receive a training in chromosome conformation.
More information and how to apply
Application deadline: 11th December 2025
Note for eligibility: as per the mobility rule of NUCLEAR, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation (The Netherlands in our case) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
Rodriguez Colman Lab 