Postdoctoral Research Engineer: Innovative Engineering and Automation for Single Cell Metabolomics

The Metabolomics & Analytics Centre at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) at Leiden University is looking for a:

Postdoctoral Research Engineer: Innovative Engineering and Automation for Single Cell Metabolomics

The Metabolomics and Analytics Center (MAC) seeks to hire a post doc to develop and engineer an innovative single cell analyzer, using an automated sample handling platform and hanging droplet evaporator to process single cells, exosome samples and other biomass restricted samples for high resolution mass spectrometric analysis. As a Research Engineer, you will collaborate with colleagues at LACDR, academic partners and at instrument companies to develop this analyzer platform. You will build upon an existing and patented hanging droplet evaporator technology. You can benefit from on-going research on innovative metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics approaches for single cell analysis and exosome fractions. This project is part of the Biotech Booster program to accelerate commercialization of innovative biotechnology research, and through that you can exchange ideas with other engineers and entrepreneurs. Your goal is to develop a single cell analyzer platform that can help to answer important questions in clinical and drug research, such as predicting response in cancer immune therapy. This platform will ultimately become part of a new start-up company, and you are expected to develop showcases for this new platform, and develop ideas to implement in a business. For this you will learn and exchange ideas within the Biotech Booster community of entrepreneurs. The success of your technological developments will directly translate into a new product. Join us and be part of this pioneering endeavor.

What you will do
You will focus on 1) engineering an automated analyzer platform able to measure metabolites and lipids, but also proteins, in individual cells using high resolution mass spectrometry, 2) developing applications showing the relevance of single cell metabolomics for efficacy of cancer immune therapy and 3) prepare launch of a start-up for this innovative single cell analysis platform.

Requirements

• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive research engineer with a passion for innovation and strong inter-disciplinary skills;
• PhD degree in Instrument or Analytical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related engineering field. Industry experience in the domain of engineering is a strong plus;
• Experience with bio-microfluidics engineering (Computer-Aided Design and micromilling), biosensing and data analysis. Experience with reliability testing and quality control, programming, circuit board design and/or cleanroom manufacturing is a strong plus;
• Entrepreneurial spirit;
• Experience with industrial applications of analytical systems with an end user-focused mindset is preferred;
• Curious and creative in providing tailored solutions;
• Good team spirit and able to work independently;
• Good communication skills and able to collaborate with industrial and academic partners;
• Proficient in spoken and written English.

Where you will work
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. 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 faculty is 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 LACDR is one of the eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science. LACDR is an international leading drug research institute, and Leiden University consistently ranks within the top-20 world-wide within the subject-based QS Ranking in Pharmacology and Pharmacy. At LACDR, we develop innovative scientific concepts in fundamental and translational research underlying the discovery and optimization of drugs, and personalised medicines.

The ambition of the Metabolomics and Analytics Centre (MAC) at the LACDR is to develop innovative analytical strategies for metabolomics-driven health monitoring and systems biology studies. Understanding the intricate balance between health, disease and adaptation to challenges relies on the identification of systematic changes during time. We believe that health monitoring and personalized medicine approaches can be achieved with clinical studies involving multiple patient samples, often in combination with stem cell derived in-vitro or organ-on-a-chip models. MAC has been a pioneer in Metabolomics since early 2000, and combines advanced metabolomics technologies, innovative sample preparation and robotics for clinical and in-vitro samples, and computational and FAIR digital twinning expertise’s. MAC houses a beyond-state-of-the-art metabolomics and mass spectrometry lab with automated and robotic sample preparation, access to state-of-the-art cell culture and advanced imaging facilities. MAC is involved in many national and international exciting academic and industrial collaborations. MAC’s ambition is to translate developed technologies to clinical and industrial applications, and MAC is working together strategic academic partners and with several instrument and biotech/pharma companies. MAC has experience in successfully spinning out companies based on technologies developed in the research group.

What we offer
We offer a full-time position for initially one year. After positive evaluation of the progress of the research, personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment can be extended further for one more year. The salary ranges, depending on qualifications and experience, from € 3,546 to € 5,538 gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), plus an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions.

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to Prof. dr. Thomas Hankemeier, e-mail: hankemeier@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact Mrs. Ina Hazejager: e-mail: s.a.hazejager@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl