PhD candidate Genetic Susceptibility in Stem Cell-Derived Organoid Safety Testing

Vacancy number: 16775

Job type: PhD positions

Contract hours min: 38

Contract hours max: 38

Location: Leiden

Applying is possible up to and including: 21 augustus 2026

The Faculty of Science and the Division of Cell Systems and Drug Safety is looking for a:

PhD candidate Genetic Susceptibility in Stem Cell-Derived Organoid Safety Testing

Why do people respond differently to harmful substances, and why are some individuals more sensitive to organ damage? This PhD project addresses these fundamental questions by investigating human toxicodynamic variability; the differences in how cells respond to chemical stress. These differences are partly driven by genetic variation, which influences cellular pathways involved in toxicity. Understanding this variation is essential for developing future safety testing strategies that reflect real human diversity.

What you will do

In this project, you will work with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary cells derived from donors with different (genetic) backgrounds. By differentiating these stem cells into organ specific cell types and 3D organoids together with CRISPR technology, you will study how genetic variants shape cellular responses to chemical exposure. Combined with advanced detection tools that visualize cellular stress responses, this approach allows you to map how individual’s background translate into toxicodynamic variability.

The project serves as a proof of concept for integrating human variability into next‑generation in vitro safety testing. The knowledge generated will contribute to more accurate risk estimation and support the development of chemical safety assessments that better reflect human diversity.

What you bring

• MSc in (Bio)-pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences or Biology
• Expertise in (human) induced pluripotent stem cell culture, 3D in vitro systems, molecular and cell biology, gene editing, microscopy, cell signaling
• Interest in bioinformatics
• Written and oral proficiency in English
• Excellent scientific writing skills
• Enthusiastic and ambitious
• Independent thinker
• Team player

Where you will work

Curiosity and passion for science are what connect our people: the desire to know, understand, interpret, explain and create. Our mission is to provide excellent teaching and research across the full breadth of the sciences, contributing to solutions for major societal challenges. Our eight institutes, ranging from mathematics, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences, along with the Lorentz Center and the Hortus botanicus, form the backbone of our faculty and have a strong mutual interconnectedness.

We work in a safe, stimulating and international environment where people work and study with pleasure and passion, and where building connections and collaboration, both within and beyond the faculty, are a clear choice. The faculty has over 2,700 staff members and more than 6,000 students enrolled in nine bachelor's and fifteen master's programmes. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry meet.

For more information, see:

What we offer

We offer a full-time (1.0 FTE, 38 hours) 4-year term position. Salary range from € 3.059,- to € 3.881,- gross per month (PhD student, pay scale P) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. We aim to employ more women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore especially invited to apply.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

What we value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

Want to apply or find out more?

To apply for this vacancy, please submit your application online via the blue button in our application system.

Please ensure that you upload the following additional document quoting the vacancy number:

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• The transcripts of your BSc and MSc studies to date
• A copy of your (draft) Master’s thesis
• Preferably 2 reference letters

Only applications received before 21 August 2026 can be considered.

Starting date: fall 2026, flexible.