The postdoctoral fellow will study the topology of folded proteins and nucleic acids using a newly developed circuit topology framework. He/she will have the opportunity to work on other theoretical side-projects on reaction networks and modeling mechanical processes in biology. The responsibilities of the position include:

• Develop a theoretical physics research line on molecular topology;
• Design and perform analysis on experimental data;
• Train PhD and master students and supervise their research;
• Present the results to team members and other associated partners;
• Write postdoctoral grants such as Marie Curie and LEaDing Fellows Postdoc Programme to continue working in our group;
• Contribute to grant writing activities to bring funding to the lab;
• Contribute to our education program.

• Academic degree (PhD) in theoretical physics, applied mathematics, theoretical chemistry or related areas;
• Decent publication record;
• Previous experience in polymer physics, mechanics of soft matter, or structural bioinformatics is a plus;
• Experience with working in an international environment;
• Good written and verbal English communication skills;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to successfully work and get things done in teams.

We offer a full-time, one year term position, with the possibility of renewal for up to three more years depending on the availability of funding and the performance. Salary range from € 2.709,- to € 4.274,- 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. For more information: Working at Leiden University.

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is a leading institute dedicated to world-class research and education in drug discovery and development. LACDR comprises a diverse and international team of approximately 150 researchers and is ideally located at the Leiden Bio Science Park, the largest life science cluster in The Netherlands. The Mashaghi lab has a world-leading reputation in the field of single-molecule biophysics of protein folding. The lab is involved in interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics, engineering and biomedicine. We enjoy developing highly innovative approaches to high-impact questions, working with advanced technologies and writing compelling publications.

Our faculty’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of science, ranging from Mathematics and Statistical science, Computer science and Data science, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical science to Biology and Environmental sciences. Our faculty members are inspired by a fascination with the unknown and the urge to enlarge our fundamental knowledge. At the same time they want to contribute to solutions for the big societal issues of tomorrow. For more information: Faculty of Science.