For over 15 years the Analytical Biosciences and Metabolomics (ABSM) group has been developing novel methods to measure a wide range of metabolites in humans. Over the years we have established many collaborations with researchers, research institutes and instrument vendors from all over the world. Our metabolomics facility is one of the biggest in Europe and a member of several large (inter)national projects. Samples from all over the world are sent to our facility in Leiden to be analysed to provide new insights into the role of metabolic pathways in diseases. We study the role of environmental drivers of diseases, and study diseases such as neurodegenerative, vascular and cardiometabolic diseases, and recently also COVID-19. We aim to use this knowledge for supporting the development of innovative treatments or even better delay the onset of this diseases or even prevent them.

We are looking for a scientific programmer to strengthen our data analysis team, where you will be working on tools to collect, process, analyse and visualise data. You will support, maintain and improve our existing tools, implement and customise open-source tools and libraries, and design and develop your own.

You will work together with researchers in our group and  with collaborators in projects to identify the drivers of health and disease using metabolomics. You will be part of the Exposome-NL project.

Key responsibilities
You will need substantial programming experience to handle complex mass spectrometric data. Hands-on experience in the development of tooling and customisable data processing pipelines is required.

The role will encompass the following responsibilities, but are not limited to:

• Developing, improving and maintaining research software;
• Creating customisable, reusable and well-documented data pre-processing and analysis pipelines;
• Delivering high-quality and validated software for production use;
• Providing hands-on training, coaching and support;
• Participating in both national and international projects.

Experience with:

• Writing research software;
• Programming in Python/R/Bash;
• Git and collaborative software development;
• Scientific workflow management systems;
• Software containers (e.g., Docker, Singularity);
• Jupyter notebooks;
• Very good proficiency in English, both written and spoken;
• Experience with high resolution mass spectrometry data is a pre;

Additional desirable competencies and qualifications include:

• Pragmatic, analytical, result-oriented and creative;
• Collaborative mindset and the ability to work both independently and within a team;
• Good at planning and performing well with deadlines;
• Hands-on mentality and self-motivated;
• Independent working attitude is highly valued.

We offer a position for one year (0.8 or 1.0 FTE). Based on experience salary ranges from € 2,656.- to € 4,012.- gross per month based on a full-time employment, (pay scale 8 or 9 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. 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. For more information, see the website.

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

Leiden University

Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research as a research institute works at the leading edge of drug-design and fundamental research of new drugs, improvements and optimisation of existing drugs, and new developments in personalised medicine. Within Leiden University we participate in the research profile area of 'Bioscience: the science base of health'. Read more information about LACDR on the website.

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Here, personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to contribute to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is highly 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 bachelor’s and twelve master’s programs. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and almost 5,000 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. For more information, see the website of the Faculty of Science.