The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research are looking for a:
Postdoc or PhD student – Advanced human iPSC-derived test systems for the evaluation of non-genotoxic carcinogens
Vacancynumber: 22-295
Key responsibilities
Quantitative evaluation of adverse outcome pathways is a critical next step in chemical safety assessment. These pathways are represented by adaptive stress response pathways that are involved in normal cellular physiology, essentially to protect cells to injurious circumstances (e.g., the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway and the unfolded protein response). Overstimulation or compromised activation may result in limited recovery, with cellular demise and tissue injury as key outcomes. The goal of the project is to test and utilize an existing panel of human iPSC reporter lines for adaptive stress response activation. These reporter lines can be differentiated to relevant lineages and will be applied to quantitatively map the dynamic and tissue-specific activation of adaptive stress response pathways at the cellular level, using automated live cell imaging microscopy and targeted transcriptomics.
The successful candidate will work in the context of the pan-European PARC project, co-funded by the EU, with partners from academia, research organizations, government and small to major industries throughout Europe. The PARC project aims to support EU and national chemical risk assessment and risk management bodies with new data, knowledge, methods, networks, and skills to address current, emerging, and novel chemical safety challenges.
Selection Criteria
• PhD or MSc in (Bio)-pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences or Biology
• Enthusiastic and ambitious
• Independent thinker
• Expertise in (human) stem cell culture, molecular and cell biology, microscopy, cell signaling
• Excellent writing skills
• Interest in bioinformatics
• Team player
Our organization
Working at the Faculty of Science means being part of an exciting, dynamic scientific environment which sets high standards for its students and staff. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 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. For more information, see https://www.science.leidenuniv.nl.
Terms and conditions
We offer a full-time, 1 year term position, with the possibility of renewal for an additional 3 years based on performance. Salary range from € 2.541 to € 3.247 (PhD student scale) or € 2.960 to € 4.670 gross per month (Postdoc pay scale 10, depending on experience), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. We aim to employ more women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore especially invited to apply.
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.
Information
Enquiries can be made to Prof. Bob van de Water ( b.water@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl ; +31-71-5276223) and Dr. Peter Bouwman (r.j.p.bouwman@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl ; +31-71-5276105). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact the secretariat of the Division of Drug Discovery & Safety, Marjolijn Lugthart (m.j.l.lugthart@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl; +31-71-5276270).
Applications
To apply for this vacancy, please send an email to Prof. Bob van de Water ( b.water@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl), Dr. Peter Bouwman ( r.j.p.bouwman@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl), and Marjolijn Lugthart ( m.j.l.lugthart@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl). Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:
• motivation letter
• curriculum vitae
• preferably 2 reference letters
Only applications received before 26 August 2022 can be considered.