The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) studies and teaches microbial, plant and animal sciences with a broad research scope from molecular and cellular levels to organismal and population levels. The IBL has a collaborative atmosphere that is fostered by strong expertise focused around four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease, and Evolution & Biodiversity. The overall leading principle of our research is harnessing biodiversity for health. The IBL is a growing institute and wishes to recruit three new group leaders who are, or will become, the future leaders in their research field. For these new positions, the focus lies on the Research Themes Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions and Development & Disease.

Within the field of plant sciences, our mission is to contribute the sustainable production of high quality crops, flowers and high-value bio-based products. This is realized by generating fundamental knowledge of basic biological processes related to the development of plants and their interaction with the environment. We perform state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary research in the field of experimental plant sciences, and have strong expertise in developmental and stress biology, ecology and phytochemistry, and genome modification. We are looking for a new (future) group leader with expertise complementary to that of the current staff members, who is able to connect to the research in the plant cluster, and to the leading Research Themes of the IBL. We especially welcome applications from candidates with expertise in protein biochemistry, small molecule-protein interactions and/or bioinformatics.

The candidates are expected to develop a strong independent research line that is attractive for BSc, MSc and PhD students, and have the ambition to compete at the highest national and international levels. The research line should connect well with IBL’s Research Themes and be complementary to and thus strengthen the existing research at the IBL. The candidates will be expected to contribute to the BSc and MSc teaching programs of the IBL.

• A PhD in biological science or related field and at least several years of postdoctoral research experience;
• An excellent track record, evidenced by high quality publications;
• Strong affinity for biochemistry / molecular (cell) biology;
• A broad international network of collaborations;
• Successful in raising research funds;
• Experience and affinity with teaching at BSc and/or MSc level;
• Energetic ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker with a clear view on a challenging research and education program;
• A networker who can readily engage in collaborations within and outside our institute
• Experience and affinity with project and management tasks;
• Excellent command of the English language;
• A good command of the Dutch language, or prepared to learn the Dutch language.

The successful candidate will be offered a position as principal investigator, at a level that depends on her/his track record. We offer a five to six year term position, with the possibility of a tenured position subsequently. The salary ranges from €3.637,- to €4.978,- gross per month (pay scale 11 or 12) for assistant professors, €5.039,- to €6.738,- (scale 13 or 14) for associate professors and €6.218,- to €8.127,- (scale 16) for full professors. Salaries and conditions are 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 reduction.

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/she must be willing to obtain this certificate within two years. Within two years a language proficiency of a minimum at level B2 Dutch is required.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

The Faculty of Science strives for excellence in a caring institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequently varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with an ambitious yet friendly culture. In the Netherlands, parental leave is standard for 16 weeks. Child care is available at and near the Bio Science Park. For more information see the website.

Leiden University

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 organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight BSc and twelve MSc programmes. The faculty has grown 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 Leiden (IBL) is an internationally oriented institute for biology research and education that is part of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University. Embedded within the institute are the Netherlands Center for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) and the department Science Communication and Society. The IBL has strong links with the sister institutes in the Faculty of Sciences, with the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre (NBC). Our aim is to perform top quality innovative fundamental and strategic research that contributes to solutions for global societal challenges such as the threat to biodiversity, antimicrobial resistance and preventing disease development in humans, animals and plants. We have a strong track record in collaboration with industry.