As PhD student in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, you will be part of a group investigating the mechanisms and functional consequences of post-translational protein modification by SUMO and ubiquitin. As part of a recently awarded Marie Curie ETN project, aimed to train the best scientists in Europe, you will study the roles of sumoylation and ubiquitylation in cancer and infection. You will study crosstalk between SUMOylation and ubiquitylation at a proteome-wide level and at the level of individual target proteins. This project will be carried out in close collaboration with the lab of Huib Ovaa and other members of the European ETN network.

Our group is interested in the mechanisms and functional consequences of post-translational protein modification by SUMO and ubiquitin. We integrate biochemistry, cell biology and proteomics approaches and employ state-of-the art microscopes and mass spectrometers to obtain novel insights in SUMO signal transduction in cell cycle progression. We have previously uncovered a key role for SUMO in cell cycle progression (Schimmel et al. 2014), and shown that SUMO-2/3 are able to form chains in an ubiquitin-like manner (Matic et al. 2008). These chains then cooperate with the ubiquitin-proteasome system to control target proteins (Schimmel et al. 2008, Vyas et al. 2013). We have recently developed innovative methodology to study SUMOylation and crosstalk between SUMOylation and other post-translational modifications in a cell-wide manner (Hendriks et al. 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017).

You have obtained an MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences or similar field and have a strong background in protein purification, protein biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Experience with molecular cell biology and ubiquitin-like proteins will be a distinct advantage whereas experience in mass spectrometry is not required. You should be highly motivated, enthusiastic and creative as well as skilled and result-driven. Excellent written and oral communication skills are a must. You are prepared to spent several months of your PhD project elsewhere in Europe as part of your training.

You will be employed on the basis of a 36-hour week. Appointment should lead to a PhD thesis and is for a maximum duration of four years. Your salary is € 2,266 gross per month in the first year, progressing to € 2,903 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full time position (scale PhD students of the Collective Labor Agreement for University Hospitals). By joining us, you will be part of a young and dynamic team consisting of international researchers.

The terms of employment offered by the LUMC are highly favorable. For example, you will receive 8% holiday remuneration, a year-end bonus, and a pension arrangement with the National Civil Pension Fund. Also, as employee of one of the University Hospitals in the Netherlands, you can benefit from our collective health insurance policy.

Moreover, the LUMC offers excellent facilities in the area of education, child-care centers, and career advice. In addition, you may enjoy various leave arrangements and other extras. You can read more about these facilities elsewhere on this site.

LUMC

At the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), we are continually seeking to improve the quality of healthcare. The LUMC aims for excellence in patient care, research, teaching, training and continuing education.

department of Molecular Cell Biology

The LUMC is a center for medical innovation that aims to improve patient care through leading international research. So as to also provide our patients with a safe and friendly environment, we need doctors, medical care specialists, support staff and academic researchers. Within the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, a team of professionals investigates functional regulation of proteins by post-translational modifications including SUMOylation, ubiquitylation and phosphorylation. This enables us to improve our knowledge about fundamental processes of life at the molecular level and to improve our knowledge about disease-linked de-regulation of these processes. Local collaborators include Huib Ovaa, Jacques Neefjes and Peter ten Dijke.