Website University of Amsterdam
Although cannabis is generally considered a ‘safe’ drug, there are concerns about its increased potency, with a mean THC concentration that has doubled in the last 20 years. This is especially worrisome when a young brain is exposed to cannabis, since the endocannabinoid system in the brain plays an important role in development and neuronal finetuning. Frequent adolescent cannabis use (daily or near-daily) can have lasting impairments in information processing speed and perceptual reasoning, can cause a drop in IQ and result in lower academic achievement in general. Moreover, a link with mental health problems has been observed too. How exactly these associations are causally and neurobiologically related is still a matter of debate. It has been reported that lasting effects of THC exposure during the adolescent period are mostly revealed in close interaction with other factors, like early life environmental conditions, which have been formulated in the multiple hit model for mental health vulnerability.
In this project, we aim to better understand how coping with the environment develops after THC exposure and how adverse environmental factors can be at play. We will study animals in so called complex or enriched environments, and under stressful circumstances and investigate their behavior, next to changes in brain plasticity, including in-vivo and ex-vivo electrophysiology (in collaboration with Dr. Marlies Oostland and Dr. Pascal Chameau). We use the vapour method of THC exposure, which has translational value and face validity.
The project relates to the framework of the Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH), an interdisciplinary research center at the UvA, where complexity and dynamics of mental health problems in an urban environment is approached from an integrative angle. You will be working in the Brain Plasticity group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Amsterdam under the supervision of Dr. Rixt van der Veen and Prof. Paul Lucassen.
Although cannabis is generally considered a ‘safe’ drug, there are concerns about its increased potency, with a mean THC concentration that has doubled in the last 20 years. This is especially worrisome when a young brain is exposed to cannabis, since the endocannabinoid system in the brain plays an important role in development and neuronal finetuning. Frequent adolescent cannabis use (daily or near-daily) can have lasting impairments in information processing speed and perceptual reasoning, can cause a drop in IQ and result in lower academic achievement in general. Moreover, a link with mental health problems has been observed too. How exactly these associations are causally and neurobiologically related is still a matter of debate. It has been reported that lasting effects of THC exposure during the adolescent period are mostly revealed in close interaction with other factors, like early life environmental conditions, which have been formulated in the multiple hit model for mental health vulnerability.
In this project, we aim to better understand how coping with the environment develops after THC exposure and how adverse environmental factors can be at play. We will study animals in so called complex or enriched environments, and under stressful circumstances and investigate their behavior, next to changes in brain plasticity, including in-vivo and ex-vivo electrophysiology (in collaboration with Dr. Marlies Oostland and Dr. Pascal Chameau). We use the vapour method of THC exposure, which has translational value and face validity.
The project relates to the framework of the Centre for Urban Mental Health (UMH), an interdisciplinary research center at the UvA, where complexity and dynamics of mental health problems in an urban environment is approached from an integrative angle. You will be working in the Brain Plasticity group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Amsterdam under the supervision of Dr. Rixt van der Veen and Prof. Paul Lucassen.
All about this vacancy
What are you going to do?
As a PhD student you will develop into an independent researcher, your tasks and activities will include:
completion and defense in public of a doctoral dissertation within four years;
participating in the design of the research project;
performing electrophysiological and neurobiological laboratory analyses, as well as animal behavioral tasks;
analysis, interpretation and presentation of the obtained data;
reporting of your results at local and (inter-)national meetings and publish in international, peer-reviewed journals;
attending meetings within the SILS groups and UMH gatherings;
participating in our PhD training program;
assist in teaching activities, supervising Bachelor and Master theses, and tutoring students.
What do we require?
You are/have
an enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated scientist with a (research) master’s degree with relevant experience in Life Sciences, e.g. Biomedical Sciences or a related area, preferably with a proven interest in the endocannabinoid system, (social/cognitive) behavior, electrophysiological methods, endocrinological or stress research;
experience with practical lab work and have worked with animals before, you are preferably in possession of the Article 9 certificate;
excellent analytical and communicative skills and a clear and concise writing style;
well-organized, independent, pro-active and perseverant in the face of a setback;
last, but not least: a teamplayer, a pleasant colleague in the team and able to work within an interdiciplinary environment.
Our offer
We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
Your salary will range between €3,059 in the first year to €3,881 gross per month in the last year of employment, based on a fulltime employment (38 hours per week). This sum does not include the 8% holiday pay and the 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. We accept applications until and including 20 May 2026. Only complete applications received within the response period via the link will be considered.
Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact: Dr. Rixt van der Veen (r.vanderveen@uva.nl)
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your CV should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation;
- two letters of recommendation, including names and email addresses of references who have worked with you before.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)
We will invite potential candidates for interviews in May-June 2026.
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