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Associate or Full professor: Omics-based natural product discovery

Posted 26 Mar 2024
Work experience
1 to 3 years
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Job function
Degree level
Required languages
English (Fluent)
Dutch (Fluent)
Deadline
31 Mar 2021 21:59

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The Faculty of Science and the Institute of Biology Leiden are looking for an

Associate or Full professor: Omics-based natural product discovery

Key responsibilities

The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) studies and teaches microbial, plant and animal sciences with a broad research scope from molecular and cellular levels to organismal and population levels. The IBL has a collaborative atmosphere that is fostered by strong expertise focused around four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease, and Evolution & Biodiversity. The overall leading principle of our research is harnessing biodiversity for health. The IBL is a growing institute and wishes to recruit three new group leaders who are, or will become, the future leaders in their research field. For this new position, the focus lies on the Research Themes Bioactive Molecules and Host-Microbe Interactions.

In Microbial Sciences, we perform multidisciplinary research to understand the structure and function of microbes at all levels of biological organization, from small molecules and cellular structures at atomic resolution to multicellular communities. We investigate how microbes sense and respond to their environment and interact with other organisms, and harness Nature's Biodiversity to discover novel bioactive molecules and enzymes, which find application in the clinical trajectory and in biotechnology. We also study the role of microbes and microbial communities in protecting humans, plants and animals against diseases and pests. Genome sequencing has revealed a huge yet untapped potential of microbes for the production of bioactive compounds. Many of the biosynthetic gene clusters for natural products are poorly expressed under laboratory conditions, and to harness their full potential we need to understand the chemical-ecological cues that control their expression.

We seek an associate or full professor with expertise in the bioinformatics and/or 'omics of natural product biosynthesis in microorganisms. The candidate is expected to develop an independent research line that is attractive for young undergraduate and postgraduate scientists, and support and inspire her/his research team to perform science at the highest level. The research line should address "harnessing microbial biodiversity for health": mining of microbial genomes for new bioactive natural products. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the BSc and MSc teaching programs of the IBL.

Selection criteria

  • A PhD in biological sciences or related field and at least several years of research experience as PI;
  • Strong expertise in computational genomics and bioinformatics, and proven affinity with natural product chemistry and/or enzymology;
  • Experience with ‘omics data analysis and integration, including metabolomic analysis through spectral networks and/or transcriptomic analysis through co-expression networks;
  • Affinity with biochemistry and microbiology;
  • A track record with high-quality publications evidencing a track record of collaboration and multidisciplinary;
  • A broad international network of collaborations;
  • Successful in raising research funds;
  • Ability to foster an inspiring working environment for a research team, in which PhDs and postdocs feel supported and have the ability to thrive;
  • Experience and affinity with teaching at BSc and/or MSc level;
  • Energetic ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker with a clear view on a challenging research and education program;
  • A networker who can readily engage in collaborations within and outside our institute;
  • Experience and affinity with project and management tasks;
  • Excellent command of the English language;
  • A good command of the Dutch language, or prepared to learn the Dutch language.

Our organisation

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the faculty is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight BSc and twelve MSc programmes. The faculty has grown in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and almost 4,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) is an internationally oriented institute for biology research and education that is part of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University. Embedded within the institute are the Netherlands Center for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) and the department Science Communication and Society. The IBL has strong links with the sister institutes in the Faculty of Sciences, with the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre (NBC). Our aim is to perform top quality innovative fundamental and strategic research that contributes to solutions for global societal challenges such as the threat to biodiversity, antimicrobial resistance and preventing disease development in humans, animals and plants. We have a strong track record in collaboration with industry.

Terms and conditions

The successful candidate will be offered a position as principal investigator, at a level that depends on her/his track record. We offer a five- to six-year term position, with the possibility of a tenured position subsequently. The salary ranges from € 5.190,- to € 6.940,- (scale 13 or 14) for associate professors and € 6.405,- to € 8.371,- (scale 16) for full professors. Salaries and conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax reduction. For more information, see the website.

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/she must be willing to obtain this certificate within two years. Within two years, a Dutch language proficiency of minimally level B2 is required.

Diversity

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

The Faculty of Science strives for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with an ambitious yet friendly culture. In the Netherlands, parental leave is standard for 16 weeks. Child care is available at and near the Bio Science Park.

De Universiteit Leiden is één van Europa’s meest vooraanstaande internationale onderzoeksuniversiteiten. De universiteit heeft zeven faculteiten in het alfa-, bèta- en gammadomein, is gevestigd in Leiden en Den Haag en heeft ruim 6.700 medewerkers en 29.520 studenten. Haar motto is Praesidium Libertatis – Bolwerk van Vrijheid.
Dankzij de bevlogen en betrokken medewerkers heeft de universiteit een leidende rol in wetenschappelijk onderzoek…


De Universiteit Leiden is één van Europa’s meest vooraanstaande internationale onderzoeksuniversiteiten. De universiteit heeft zeven faculteiten in het alfa-, bèta- en gammadomein, is gevestigd in Leiden en Den Haag en heeft ruim 6.700 medewerkers en 29.520 studenten. Haar motto is Praesidium Libertatis – Bolwerk van Vrijheid.
Dankzij de bevlogen en betrokken medewerkers heeft de universiteit een leidende rol in wetenschappelijk onderzoek en onderwijs en scoort Leiden elk jaar zeer goed in toonaangevende rankings. De lat ligt dan ook hoog. Ongeacht welk werk u aan onze universiteit doet, u wordt altijd aangemoedigd om uw horizon te verbreden, uw talenten te ontplooien en het maximale uit uzelf te halen.

Education
Leiden
6,700 employees