Postdoctoral Researcher in Preclinical Cancer Drug Development at Maastricht University

Welcome to Maastricht University! We have created a novel class of oncology drugs that leverage the tumor microenvironment for selective activation targeting the NOTCH stem-cell pathway in cancer. We are seeking an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to assess their therapeutic potential in advanced in vivo cancer models. You will evaluate efficacy, mechanisms of action, and tumor-microenvironment responses, as well as investigate how these drugs can enhance treatment when combined with standard-of-care therapies and immunotherapy.

What You Do

Design, perform, and analyze in vivo breast cancer studies using immune-competent TNBC models.
Establish drug dosage, schedule, and treatment conditions for drug-combination strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Quantify tumor response, tolerability, and survival, relating these to pharmacokinetics, tumor-selective drug activation, and target engagement.
Characterize treatment-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment, including tumor, vascular, and immune responses, using molecular, histological, and imaging approaches.
Identify and validate pharmacodynamic and response biomarkers to support patient stratification and clinical translation.
Communicate results through project meetings, scientific presentations, and high-quality publications, and contribute scientifically to subsequent translational studies and funding applications.
Support some teaching activities related to Oncology.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? We’d love to meet you.

What You Bring: We are looking for a motivated biomedical scientist who wants to use advanced cancer models to translate innovative biology into new therapeutic strategies. Do you recognize yourself in this?

PhD in cancer biology, with a demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications in a relevant research area.
Strong hands-on experience with in vivo cancer models is essential, including experimental design, tumor-response assessment, and tissue collection. A valid Article 9 qualification or equivalent is required.
A strong interest in translational oncology, innovation, and preclinical drug development is essential.
Experience with the tumor immune microenvironment and/or immuno-oncology is preferred.
Experience with molecular and -omics analysis of tumors is preferred, including transcriptomic, single-cell, spatial, or related approaches and their integration with in vivo treatment response.
Experience with combination treatments, pharmacology/PK-PD, or radiotherapy is an advantage; Article 5B or equivalent irradiation certification is preferred.

What We Offer: At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

A 12-month contract (1.0 FTE) with the prospect of a two-year extension.
A gross monthly salary between €3,706 and €5,760 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week), plus an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

Interested? Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Marc Vooijs at marc.vooijs@maastrichtuniversity.nl or check out our website: https://www.maastro.nl/research. The publication's end date is November 1, 2026.

If you apply, please upload:

CV
Motivation letter, describing your experience and interest in translational oncology and/or preclinical drug development. If you have relevant experience, please briefly describe the therapeutic strategies, cancer models, or treatments you have worked with and your role. Please also describe your experience with analyzing single-cell and/or spatial omics data, including the analyses or methods you have performed yourself.
Contact information of 3 references.

The preferred start date for this position is January 2027. Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University: At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.