Biomolecular mass spectrometry and proteomics seeks a highly motivated, high-potential candidate for a PhD position in a research project studying the role of protein lipidation in neurological disorders. In this project, you will work at the interface of chemistry and biology. You will contribute to the development of new chemical biology and proteomics methodologies to study the regulation of protein lipidation, focusing on S-palmitoylation, aiming to reveal how these modifications affect brain proteins, especially those that are linked to neurological disorders.

We are looking for a versatile and driven candidate, preferably with a background in chemical biology/molecular biology and who has:

• an MSc in Chemical Biology or a related field;
• excellent written and oral proficiency in English;
• experience in cell culturing techniques;
• the ability and enthusiasm for working both independently and collaboratively in a highly multidisciplinary environment;
• significant knowledge of, and experience with working in a chemical biology lab;
• teamplayer spirit;
• hands-on MS experience (considered a plus, but not essential at the start).

Ideally, you also have:

• experience in proteomics mass-spectrometry;
• good knowledge of organic synthesis;
• excellent writing skills.

• a chance to become part of a team of highly skilled Researchers;
• a full-time position for 4 years;
• a full-time gross salary that starts at €2,395 and increases to €3,061 per month in the fourth year (scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (cao));
• benefits including 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions laid down in the cao for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements, and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment yourself via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

More information about working at the Faculty of Science can be found here.

At the Faculty of Science there are six departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our familiar atmosphere and the can-do attitude of our people. This fundamental connection attracts Researchers, Professors and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the university and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.

You will be working in a subgroup focused on protein lipidation within the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry group, headed by Professor Heck. This group is part of the Department of Chemistry. The research in the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics groups focuses on the use of mass spectrometry to understand the inner workings of cells. Mass spectrometry enables the characterization of molecules that are present in cells and thereby allows the identification and characterization of proteins and other biomolecules that work together and are involved in cellular processes and in disease. We house an excellent array of state-of-the-art mass spectrometers, combined with extensive protein and peptide separation methods. We also have world-renown expertise in the analysis of protein-ligand, protein-protein, and protein-DNA analysis by mass spectrometry. Therefore, dedicated mass spectrometers and LC methods have been and are developed, allowing the analysis of the structure and function of protein machineries.