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. As part of a recently awarded KWF project, you will study the important roles of SUMOylation in cell cycle progression in cancer cells at a proteome-wide level and at the level of individual target proteins. Targeting SUMO signal transduction in cancer cells, might yield a novel anti-cancer therapy.

The project

We are interested in the mechanisms and functional consequences of post-translational protein modification by SUMO. The project involves chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, pathology and proteomics approaches and employs 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 have recently developed innovative methodology to study SUMOylation in a cell-wide manner (Hendriks et al. 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017). This project is a collaboration between the groups of Huib Ovaa, Judith Bovée and Alfred Vertegaal.

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 the cell cycle 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.

Fixed-term contract: maximum duration of four years.

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).

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. 

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.

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.