Wout Oosterheert

Throughout my career, I have become fascinated with the complex molecular mechanisms that underly biological processes.  I studied Chemistry at Utrecht University (Bachelor 2013, Master 2015 – both cum laude).
As part of my Master’s curriculum, I performed an internship in the lab of Prof. Eric Gouaux at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, USA. I then returned to Utrecht to start my PhD in biochemistry and structural biology under the guidance of Prof. Piet Gros. In the Gros lab, I investigated the structure and mechanism of STEAP membrane proteins, which represent a family of enzymes that are upregulated in prostate cancer. After receiving my PhD cum laude (highest distinction) in March 2021, I joined the lab of Prof. Stefan Raunser at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany as a postdoctoral researcher, supported by a prestigious fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt foundation. In Dortmund, I uncovered important mechanisms that underlie the assembly and turnover of the actin cytoskeleton, a versatile network of filaments that controls the shape and movement of all eukaryotic cells. In 2025, I started my own independent group at the Netherlands Cancer Institute as a junior group leader (assistant professor level). My research is focused on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of (cancer)-cell migration and adhesion in atomic detail. 

Work experience

10/2025 – now
Junior group leader, The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

01/2021 – 08/2025                 
Postdoctoral Researcher, Group of Prof. Stefan Raunser. Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany

12/2015 – 11/2020                
PhD candidate, Group of Prof. Piet Gros. Utrecht University, the Netherlands - Graduated cum laude (highest distinction)

09/2013 - 10/2015               
Master of Science – Molecular & Cellular Life Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands - Graduated cum laude (highest distinction), GPA = 4.00. Average grade: 8.9 out of 10.

09/2010 - 07/2013             
Bachelor of Science – Chemistry, Utrecht University, the Netherlands -  Graduated cum laude (highest distinction), GPA = 4.00. Average grade: 8.7 out of 10.