PhD Position on the Biophysical Origins of RNA Toxicity in Huntington’s Disease, Utrecht University

Job Description

Utrecht University is offering a PhD position on RNA toxicity in Huntington’s disease. You will use optical tweezers and fluorescence to watch single RNA molecules. Pay is EUR 3,204 to 4,051 a month. Apply by 31 October 2026.

At a glance

• Position: PhD candidate, 36 to 40 hours a week
• Group: Kaiser Lab, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre
• Supervisor: Prof. Christian Kaiser
• Where: Faculty of Science, Utrecht, Netherlands
• Pay: EUR 3,204 to 4,051 gross a month, plus 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus
• Apply: 31 October 2026

What the Utrecht Huntington’s disease PhD student will do

• Design, run and analyse single-molecule experiments with optical tweezers and confocal fluorescence imaging
• Build on the lab’s earlier work (O’Brien et al., Nature Communications 2024)
• Produce materials with collaborators and develop new ways to label proteins and RNA
• Find out why some repeat RNAs are toxic and others are not
• Present at team meetings, publish papers and attend conferences
• Help teach and mentor bachelor’s and master’s students

Why this role matters

Most Huntington’s research has looked at the toxic protein. New evidence shows the HTT messenger RNA itself forms clumps that harm neurons. This project asks why, at the level of single molecules. It is a chance to train in advanced biophysics on a question with clear medical value.

What Utrecht University is looking for

• An MSc in physics or biophysics, chemistry or biochemistry, or a related field
• Wet lab experience and data analysis
• Strong scientific writing and communication
• Good written and spoken English

Nice to have

• Experience with single-molecule methods. It is a plus and is not required

Pay and location

Gross pay is EUR 3,204 to 4,051 a month on salary scale P of the Dutch universities’ collective agreement (CAO NU), based on a 38-hour week. You also get 8% holiday pay, an 8.3% year-end bonus, a pension and partly paid parental leave. The first contract is 18 months. It is extended to four years in total after a good assessment.

How to apply

Apply through the official Utrecht University page. The closing date is 31 October 2026. Use the “Apply now” button on the vacancy page. Send a motivation letter, a CV and the names and contacts of at least two referees. The header of the ad gives 31 October 2026 and the closing paragraph gives 1 November 2026; apply by 31 October to be safe.

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