Post doctoral researcher on the molecular details of a bacterial circadian clock

The Faculty of Science / the Institute for Biology is looking for a:

Post doctoral researcher on the molecular details of a bacterial circadian clock

Vacancy number: 15381

Key responsibilities

We are hiring a post-doctoral scientist to join our ERC-funded team on chronomicrobiology, a new field that bridges microbiology and chronobiology. The MicroClock program follows up on our novel discovery of a circadian clock in Bacillus subtilis. This position concerns cracking the molecular mechanism of the clock. The scientist will perform high throughput automated mutant generation towards a mutant screen which will be performed in collaboration with our consortium partners at LMU Munich and the John Innes Centre. The scientist will learn chronobiological principles and experimentation and be a key part of discovering this novel clock mechanism. The scientist will be involved in an interdisciplinary, innovative project in a productive scientific environment and a good work-life balance.

Selection Criteria

• Background in molecular microbiology of model bacterial species
• Experience with liquid handling robots and screening of bacterial strains
• Background in cloning and protein overexpression in bacteria
• Practical experience with Bacillus subtilis or other model bacteria is desirable
• Interest in chronobiology (circadian biology)
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative (international) project and able to undertake international travel

The application material of shortlisted candidates will be shared and assessed with the principal investigators of MicroClock.

Research at our faculty

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 committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity 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 of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2300 staff and almost 5000 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 for Biology

The research within the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences, Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study.

Terms and conditions

We offer a full-time, fixed-term post from 01-04-2025 until 31-03-2027. Salary range from € 3.345,- to € 5.278,- gross per month (pay scale 10 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 break.

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