Researcher for development of advanced metabolomics methods

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

Researcher for development of advanced metabolomics methods

MAC is looking to hire a researcher for the development of advanced metabolomics and exposomics methods for large-scale studies. You will develop methods that allow quantification of global metabolomics methods that allow the detection of hundreds to thousands of small molecules. You will develop strategies to quantify those small molecules at large scale to allow to have comparable results over different studies and to define normal ranges for certain groups of persons. You will achieve this by developing MS-based methods and data processing and computational methods. You will work on the identification of the small molecules detected using advanced MS/MS protocols and computational algorithms to support to characterize small molecules at large, and to elucidate the structure of relevant molecules. You will achieve these goals by doing yourself research in the lab, supervising technicians and possibly PhD students, and work on computational methods. You will lead projects, or be the contact for certain projects, with collaborators. You will discuss and report results to our collaborators. You will work within the Exposome-Scan Facility, which is a collaboration between LACDR and Utrecht University. You will take care of a good collaboration with our partners in Utrecht, and to align the developments on both sites. You will be part of larger national/EU/NIH funded projects, and public-private partnerships, or projects fully funded by collaborators. You will help to interpret the results obtained.

Key responsibilities

• Development of global metabolomics and exposomics methods
• Leading development of MS and MS/MS methods and computational workflows by performing research and development yourself and supervising technicians, programmers and co-supervising PhD students, and possibly MSc students
• Contributing to acquisition of funding
• Leading collaborative projects
• Coordinating collaboration with Utrecht University within Exposome-Scan Facility

Selection criteria

• PhD in the field of analytical chemistry, with experience in mass spectrometry.
• Experience with developing data processing and computational workflows for the identification of metabolites
• Experience with quantification in metabolomics methods with hundreds of metabolites as targets.
• Experience with organizing and leading own research
• Experience with contribution to acquisition of funding is a pre
• Independent and creative team player with strong communication skills
• A high degree of own initiative and autonomy
• Proficient in spoken and written English

Research at our faculty

The Faculty of Science at Leiden University 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 contribute to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The ambition of 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 clinicalstudies 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 advancedmetabolomics technologies, innovative sample preparation and robotics for clinical and in-vitro samples,and computational and FAIR digital twinning expertises. MAC houses a beyond-state-of-the-art metabolomics, exposomics and mass spectrometry lab with automated and robotic sample preparation,access to state-of-the-art cell culture and advanced imaging facilities. MAC houses the Exposome-Scan Facility for exposomics analysis with MS, in collaboration with Utrecht University. MAC is involved in many national and international exciting academic, clinical and industrial collaborations, aiming to link metabolomics and multi-omics data with real world health data, and has the ambition to translate findings and technologies into healthcare and drug research.

Terms and conditions

This is a 0.8-1.0 fte position and we offer a 4-year position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment will be extended by a further three years. The salary ranges from € 3.345,- until € 5.278,- gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities depending on experience). Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%), end-of-year bonuses (8.3%) and training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions.

D&I statement

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.