Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, and there is still no effective treatment. It remains unclear how the causative bacterium is able to survive in our body for extended periods of time. There is increasing evidence suggesting that (transient) loss of the bacterial cell wall could play a major role in this respect. Given that cell wall components are recognized by our immune system, wall-deficiency would allow the pathogenic bacterium to remain invisible. Also, such wall-deficient cells would not be susceptible to the antibiotics commonly used to combat this deadly disease. In this PhD project funded by NWO, we will investigate the role that cell wall-deficient cells play in this deadly disease. Your key tasks include:

• Developing advanced genetic and cytological techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms allowing pathogenic mycobacteria to shed their cell wall;
• Studying the physiology of wall-deficient cells in pathogenic mycobacteria;
• Investigating structural changes in the cell wall organization of pathogenic mycobacteria during infection.

• Proficient in spoken and written English and excellent communication skills;
• A MSc degree with specialization in molecular (micro)biology with an excellent grade list;
• A team player, but also able to work independently;
• You take initiative and have a strong interest in academic research and education;
• You preferably have experience in working with Mycobacterium.

The appointment will be for the duration of one year with an extension of three years after positive evaluation. The salary will be set on € 2.325,- per month in the first year up to € 2.972,- (based on a fulltime appointment) according to the PhD-scale and terms of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten).

An appointment with Leiden University includes a pension build-up and facilitates other benefits such as an annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%. All our PhD students are embedded in the Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered though other PhD training networks.

The Faculty of Science 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 driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the faculty is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and almost 4,000 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.

The Institute of Biology (IBL) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The core business of IBL is to perform top-quality innovative fundamental and strategic research that will lead to scientific progress, contribute to solutions for societal challenges, and generate industrial opportunities. The Institute is organised in three multidisciplinary clusters: Animal Sciences & Health, Plant Sciences & Natural Products and Microbial Biotechnology & Health. Presently, over 120 FTE (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at IBL. The IBL represents the core of modern biological research in Leiden, and interacts closely with neighbouring institutes, including the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), the Leiden Advanced Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), and the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC).