Postdoc in neurogenetic disorders and gene regulation

Job description

Are you passionate about neurodevelopment, brain diseases and gene regulation? Would you like to work in a highly dynamic environment at the interface of fundamental science and applied human clinical genetics, directly benefiting patients? And all of that in a fun, young and international team at a top university? Then join our expanding research team as our next postdoc!

Project overview

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) present a major cause of disability early in life and a significant burden to the health system. Despite improved diagnostic yield of genetic testing, our understanding of NDD disease mechanisms remains incomplete. Most currently used diagnostic modalities trying to identify genetic causes focus on protein-coding genes. The remaining 98% of the human genome has much less attention, but might harbor many hidden causes of NDDs. 

This Postdoc project will focus on the role of the non-coding genome in causing NDDs, focusing on wet-lab approaches including functional genomics assays to decipher functional sequences in the non-coding genome and how disturbance of such sequences might lead to NDDs. 

Your research: 

Our lab aims to understand the genetic causes of NDDs. Part of the lab works on disease modelling projects of specific (novel) genes (often related to chromatin biology and gene regulation) using cell models and zebrafish. Another part of the lab focusses on understanding the functionality of the non-coding genome. For this we use both computational, as well as functional genomics assays. 

An example of this includes the use of massively parallel reporter assays (ChIP-STARR-seq) to characterize gene regulatory elements (enhancers) in several neural cell types. More recently, we have developed the BRAIN-MAGNET artificial intelligence algorithm (Cell 2025) that is trained on these functional genomics data. BRAIN-MAGNET allows to predict which nucleotides within an enhancer are required for their function. 

Via our third part of the lab that is directly connected to diagnostics, we transfer this knowledge back to the clinic, allowing us to identify novel non-coding disease causes in patients. Such findings then cycle back to the wet-lab, where they form the basis of fundamental research projects aiming to understand the disease mechanisms and develop potential treatments. 

As a postdoc joining our team, you are a positive thinking, creative, communicative individual with a broad interest in gene regulatory and disease mechanisms, searching to make the next career move. You are interested in projects related to the above and aim to bring in your own ideas to address research questions related to topics of interest.

Work environment

The Barakat lab was established in 2017 at Erasmus MC, and focusses on deciphering molecular mechanisms leading to neurodevelopmental disorders, with a particular interest in the role of the non-coding genome and gene regulation. Using functional-genomics and computational approaches we aim to understand the gene-regulatory-landscape in cells representing neurodevelopment.

Our long-term goal is to translate our research findings to the clinic, where we aim to develop novel diagnostics and therapies focusing on the so far, so often, neglected non-coding regions of the human genome. Next to our interest in fundamental gene-regulation, we apply disease-modelling for neurodevelopmental disorders using genome-engineering, induced pluripotent stem-cells, brain-organoids, and zebrafish. We routinely use a variety of next generation sequencing based techniques in our research, including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, Cut & Run, and chromatin conformation capture technologies, creating rich data sets that can be integrated within the project.  

Our highly international group, currently consisting of 15 members, is strongly embedded in the department of Clinical Genetics, and forms an important bridge between research and clinic, ultimately leading to advancements for patients. Since 2017, we have published >70 papers (majority in top-10 journals, including a recent paper in Cell) describing new disease entities and mechanisms. And have obtained > 7 million euro funding (including competitive grants from CURE Epilepsy, EpilepsieNL, ZonMw Veni, ZonMw Vidi) and have been awarded a number of prizes, including an KNAW Early Career Award.

Previous PhD students in the lab have successfully moved into postdoc positions both in academia as well as industry. Postdocs from our group have obtained prestigious independent grants (including NWO Veni, Rubicon) while being in our group. 

Some of our more recent work includes: 

1) BRAIN-MAGNET: A functional genomics atlas for interpretation of non-coding variants.

Deng et al, Cell. 2025  doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.10.029.

2) Clinical utility of DNA-methylation signatures in routine diagnostics for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Smits et al  Eur J Hum Genet. 2025 doi: 10.1038/s41431-025-01919-5.

3) Mutations in the small nuclear RNA gene RNU2-2 cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with prominent epilepsy.

Greene et al, Nat Genet. 2025 doi: 10.1038/s41588-025-02159-5.

4) AMFR dysfunction causes autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia in human that is amenable to statin treatment in a preclinical model.

Deng et al, Acta Neuropathol. 2023 doi: 10.1007/s00401-023-02579-9.

5) Comprehensive multi-omics integration identifies differentially active enhancers during human brain development with clinical relevance.

Yousefi et al, Genome Med. 2021 doi: 10.1186/s13073-021-00980-1

6) Expanding the mutational landscape and clinical phenotype of the YIF1B related brain disorder.

Medico Salsench et al, Brain. 2021 doi: 10.1093/brain/awab297

7) Delineating the molecular and phenotypic spectrum of the SETD1B-related syndrome.

Weerts et al, Genet Med. 2021 doi: 10.1038/s41436-021-01246-2

8) Bi-allelic variants in HOPS complex subunit VPS41 cause cerebellar ataxia and abnormal membrane trafficking.

Sanderson et al, Brain. 2021 doi: 10.1093/brain/awaa459

9) BICRA, a SWI/SNF Complex Member, Is Associated with BAF-Disorder Related Phenotypes in Humans and Model Organisms.

Barish S et al, Am J Hum Genet. 2020  doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.11.003.

10) Loss of UGP2 in brain leads to a severe epileptic encephalopathy, emphasizing that bi-allelic isoform-specific start-loss mutations of essential genes can cause genetic diseases.

Perenthaler et al, Acta Neuropathol. 2020  doi: 10.1007/s00401-019-02109-6

11) Functional Dissection of the Enhancer Repertoire in Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Barakat et al, Cell Stem Cell. 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.06.014

Some of our work broadcasted in the media: 

https://amazingerasmusmc.com/genetics/discovery-of-a-new-syndrome-brings-answers-to-hundreds-of-patients-with-developmental-delay/ 

https://amazingerasmusmc.com/brain/signposts-for-genetically-unexplained-brain-disorders/

https://amazingerasmusmc.com/genetics/zebrafish-and-stem-cells-solve-medical-conundrum/

https://amazingerasmusmc.com/brain/quest-why-more-boys-than-girls-with-rare-syndrome/

https://amazingerasmusmc.com/brain/discoverers-of-very-rare-form-of-epilepsy-now-on-track-to-treatment/ 

Qualifications and skills

You are a highly motivated, curious and creative young scientist. Also you are a hardworking team player with strong problem-solving skills and broad interests. You are not just awaiting a project to be given, but you want to drive and own a project including implementing your own ideas. Further:

• You have successfully obtained a PhD degree in the field of Medicine, Health Science, Life Science, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics or a related field.
• You have a strong background as a wet-lab scientist, studying previously (preferably human) gene regulatory mechanisms. Next to general skills such as molecular cloning and cell culture, you have experience with a variety of techniques, including experience with ChIP-Seq, ATAC-seq, Cut&Run, Chromatin Conformation Capture technologies or MPRAs, and previously applied this during your training to human genomics data.
• You have a solid understanding of molecular biology, gene regulation and human genetics. Experience with bioinformatics and programming skills in Python and/or R would be considered a plus.
• You have an excellent academic track record and strong motivation to pursue a scientific career. Prior first author peer-reviewed scientific publications are a must. Your overall academic track record would be competitive for postdoctoral fellowships, and you would be willing to apply for those together with the host lab to enable a longer postdoc for up to 4 years in total.  
• You are highly communicative with good verbal and written English language skills (minimal IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100 or equivalent) and you are willing to share your knowledge with other group members.
• You are preferably available the latest from May 1st, 2026 onwards.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for 18 months. Depending on the outcome of grant applications this can potentially be prolonged to up to 4 years
• The gross monthly salary amounts a minimum of € 3.598,- and a maximum of € 5.669,- (scale 10).
• A salary increase of 3,5% from July 2026, according to the collective labor agreement (cao).
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and a individual travel expense package.
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for you arrival and stay.
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution.
• Special benefits, such as a incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work. 

More information

Make this job your next career move! Apply now using the application button. It all starts with taking action. 

Do you have questions about the role? Feel free to reach out to dr. Kristina Lanko, assistant professor, via k.lanko@erasmusmc.nl or dr. Leslie Sanderson, assistant professor, via l.sanderson@erasmusmc.nl. 

You can also contact dr. Stefan Barakat, associate professor and head of the group, via t.barakat@erasmusmc.nl.

No agencies please.