Postdoc in microbiome metabolomics

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in women, with high recurrence rates even after antibiotic treatment. We have indications that a healthy urinary tract microbiome may protect against the development of UTIs, but these preliminary observations require quantification and a solid understanding of the mechanisms. In this project we aim to develop (computational) metabolomics methods and apply tools to identify microbiome products in both patient samples and complex microbial communities.

Your job

As a postdoc, you will take responsibility for the design and the realisation of the project. You will develop both targeted and untargeted liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods to measure predicted and unknown microbiome products in urine and reconstituted microbial communities. Advanced data analysis will aid in understanding (metabolic) interactions in microbial communities. You will set up the computational workflows to mine spectra and identify novel microbiome products that could ultimately biomarkers for the detection of urinary tract infections. You will also supervise related research projects of Bachelor's and Master's students.

You will work both at the division Cell Biology, Metabolism and Cancer at Utrecht University and at the Bioinformatics Group at Wageningen University. At both universities there are plenty of opportunities to facilitate your professional and personal development. Throughout the project, you will develop core skills in LC-MS/MS and data analysis, microbiome metabolism, and computational metabolomics and gain insight into the role of the urinary microbiome in urinary tract infections.

The position is embedded in a multi-disciplinary research consortium of clinical microbiologists, infectious disease specialists, bioinformaticians, modellers, chemists, and eco-evolutionary biologists. This consortium aims to identify the evolutionary strategies of microbes and to investigate how and why the urinary microbiome goes ‘off balance’ into a diseased state. Throughout the project, you will attend consortium meetings and benefit from a close collaboration with the department of Biology at Utrecht University, the University Medical Center Utrecht and Groningen University.

Your qualities

We are looking for an enthusiastic new colleague with a strong interest in the microbiome, mass spectrometry, and computational metabolomics. You have the personal drive to contribute towards treatments of a major disease with significant clinical relevance. Furthermore:

• You hold a PhD degree, preferably in analytical chemistry, computational biology or another relevant field.
• You have experience with mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry data analysis and/or (computational) metabolomics and you are willing to learn technical and computational skills needed for the project. Experience with mass spectrometry instrumentation is essential, experience with computational mass spectrometry or metabolomics is very beneficial, experience with coding is beneficial, especially programming in Python.
• You are a team player and have a strong motivation, demonstrable organisation skills and the ability to contribute to a friendly and collaborative working environment in a cross-disciplinary scientific research team.
• You communicate clearly and effectively and have proven English skills in presenting and writing.
• You are willing to present research at (international) conferences and to stakeholders, and to supervise and educate (master)students on related projects.

Our offer

We offer:

• a postdoc position for 30 months;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,345 and €5,278 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.