• Design new DNA substrates with various sequences and chemical modifications;
• Functionalize proteins and microfluidic devices to include specific interactions and fluorophores;
• Produce designed DNA substrates in high quality for reconstitution of chromatin;
• Help graduate and undergraduate students with various backgrounds (physics/biology/chemistry) to handle these materials and successfully perform experiments with them;
• Keep up to date with technical advances in the field of molecular biology and introduce them to the group;
• Manage the safety and inventory of a small molecular biology laboratory.

• A relevant working experience, preferably as a graduate student in the field of molecular biology and/or (bio)physics;
• A practical ‘can-do’ attitude and experience in the DNA manipulation, analysis and purification (techniques such as: PCR, digestion, cloning, plasmid harvesting, capillary electrophoresis, Nanopore sequencing);
• Flexible, enthusiastic and independent co-worker that exercises a high quality standard while taking initiative to improve methods and practices in the lab;
• Able to communicate with colleagues on scientific topics in fluent English (oral/written).

The contract will be for a one year, with a possible extension of two years, based on performance (up to 3 years in total).  Salary range from € 2.790,- to € 5.127,- gross per month on a 1.0 FTE base (pay scale 10/11), depending on education and experience level of the candidate.

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.

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

Leiden University

The Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) is one of the oldest physics institute in the Netherlands. LION is part of the Faculty of Sciences at Leiden University and covers a broad spectrum of physics research and education. Ranging from cosmology to the mechanics of DNA, from the physics of jamming in granular materials to quantum nano-science, from protein folding to super lubricity. All topics are covered by joined efforts in theory and experiment. One of LION’s core research efforts is Biophysics.

Within LION van Noort’s biophysics group is working on DNA organization. The research is an interdisciplinary mixture of physics, chemistry and (molecular) biology and focuses on:

1. Resolving the structure of DNA organization in eukaryotes;
2. Studying the relation between DNA organization and transcription regulation;
3. Development of instrumentation and statistical physics models to advance single-molecule studies.

This research uses advanced instrumentation to study biological processes on the single-molecule level.