Postdoctoral Researcher REWIRE-CAN project

We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the CMM, Maurice group as part of the international REWIRE-CAN Cancer Grand Challenge consortium.

Colorectal Cancer is a major global health challenge, causing more than 900,000 deaths each year, with a concerning rise in younger adults. Outcomes for patients with metastatic disease remain poor, largely due to intrinsic resistance, incomplete treatment responses, and relapse after therapy. New treatment concepts are urgently needed.

We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Maurice group as part of the international REWIRE-CAN Cancer Grand Challenge consortium (https://www.cancergrandchallenges.org/rewire-can), which aims to harness signaling hyperactivation lethality and cell‑state rewiring to create transformative therapies for colorectal cancer.

In this project, you will develop breakthrough therapeutic strategies that go beyond conventional pathway inhibition by exploiting cancer‑specific signaling dependencies. You will focus on novel approaches to hyperactivate or selectively rewire WNT signaling as an innovative treatment modality for advanced CRC.

You will work within a large international consortium bringing together experts in drug discovery, cancer signaling, artificial intelligence, organoid technology, and in vivo tumor biology. Your research will generate key mechanistic insights into treatment specificity, cell‑state transitions, resistance pathways, and rational combination therapies.

• https://www.umcutrecht.nl/en/Research/Other-research/Center-for-Molecular-Medicine
• https://madelonmauricelab.nl/

• Develop and optimize innovative strategies for WNT pathway hyperactivation and tissue‑selective targeting.
• Functionally test novel therapeutic modalities in patient‑derived CRC organoids, with emphasis on advanced and difficult‑to‑treat models.
• Identify molecular determinants of sensitivity, resistance, and cell‑fate responses to new treatment strategies.
• Integrate mechanistic studies with translational models through consortium collaborations.
• Contribute to high‑impact publications, presentations, and collaborative project goal.

The Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) is embedded within the Division Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics of the UMC Utrecht, one of the largest academic medical centers in the Netherlands. CMM hosts multidisciplinary fundamental and translational research programs focused on cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, and inherited disorders, with a strong emphasis on understanding the molecular basis of disease. Its mission is to perform internationally leading biomedical research, educate the next generation of scientists, and translate discoveries into clinical impact.

You will join the research group of Madelon Maurice at CMM, where you will have access to state‑of‑the‑art core facilities at CMM, including imaging, genomics, proteomics, and organoid platforms. The Maurice group applies a multiscale research strategy combining molecular and cell biology, advanced imaging, and patient‑derived organoid model systems to uncover signaling mechanisms that drive cancer predisposition, tumor progression, and therapy resistance. Current research directions include tissue‑selective protein degradation and pathway rewiring approaches for next‑generation cancer therapies. The group maintains strong collaborative networks within Utrecht and internationally, and fosters an open environment with scientific excellence and innovation as core priorities.

We are looking for a talented, ambitious, and enthusiastic postdoctoral scientist with a strong background in cancer biology, molecular cell biology, organoid models, or related biomedical disciplines.

You are scientifically driven, take ownership of your project, and thrive in an international research environment. You communicate clearly, work effectively across disciplines and have a collaborative mindset.

• PhD in biomedical sciences, cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, or a related field.
• Creative thinker, strong experimental and analytical skills and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Experience with organoids, signaling pathways, cancer models, advanced microscopy, (single cell)‑omics or genome engineering is an advantage.
• Experience in working with R is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).