Neurodegenerative disorders are characterised by selective degeneration of specific neuronal populations, with devastating consequences for patients and their families, and high costs for society. Typically, the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases, as well as the reason for their cell-type-specific nature are poorly understood, what precludes rational drug design. As a consequence, these diseases are currently incurable, with no or only minimally effective drugs available. Thus, there is an urgent need to gain better insight into the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases, as a first step towards novel therapeutic approaches.

The Donders Centre for Neuroscience (DCN) is looking for an Assistant Professor of Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration (Tenure Track). You are the ideal candidate for the advertised position if you are a neuroscientist who uses systems biology ('omics'), biochemical, molecular biology, cell biology and/or molecular genetics approaches to study molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease. Neurodegenerative disease models may range from cellular models (e.g. iPSC-derived neurons) to animal models, either vertebrate or invertebrate. You will get the opportunity to establish your own research group over a 6-year tenure track period. This will be supported by an attractive start-up package.

Besides doing excellent research, as an Assistant Professor at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Faculty of Science you will be actively involved in the education of our students and engage in selected management/organisational tasks. For example, you will contribute to our new Bachelor's degree course in Medical Neurobiology (6 ECs). Furthermore, you and your group members will supervise Bachelor's and Master's students doing internships.

• An established research line and publication record in the field of molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease.
• A PhD degree.
• A collaborative, open attitude with excellent communication skills.
• Ideally, some experience in acquiring external funding.
• Experience in the supervision of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students.
• Teaching experience is a plus.
• Willingness to obtain the basic teaching qualification (BKO).
• Proven administrative, organisational and management qualities are a plus.

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

• Employment: 0.8 - 1.0 FTE.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 5,127 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 11).
• The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: at the start of your tenure track you will be employed as an Assistant Professor level 2 (salary scale 11) for a six year period. Following a positive evaluation based on the criteria you will be appointed as an Assistant Professor level 1 (salary scale 12) on the basis of a permanent contract. Further information on a tenure track at the Faculty of Science can be found here.
• The intended start date is 1 January 2022 or later.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Have a look at our excellent employment conditions. They include a good work-life balance (among other things because of the excellent leave arrangements), opportunities for development and a great pension scheme.

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Faculty of Science

Researchers at the Donders Centre for Neuroscience (DCN) aim to understand the complex neural networks underlying perceptual, motor and cognitive brain functions. They study these networks by experimental as well as computational approaches. DCN consists of four departments: Neurophysics, Neuroinformatics, Neurophysiology, and Molecular Neurobiology. Thus, DCN combines two research branches: a neurophysics/informatics branch and a molecular/chemical neurobiology branch, with the Department of Neurophysiology bridging both branches.

The proposed position will strengthen the molecular neurobiology branch. The position will be embedded in the Department of Molecular Neurobiology (headed by Erik Storkebaum), which currently consists of two labs: Sharon Kolk's group studies cortical development and associated neurodevelopmental disorders, and Erik Storkebaum's group combines Drosophila and mouse genetics to study the molecular mechanisms underlying motor neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, Anne-Sophie Hafner has been recruited as a tenure-track assistant professor of Biological Neurochemistry. She will start in October 2021.

The new research group is expected to create synergy and collaborate with research groups in the Donders Centre for Neuroscience  (e.g. the Department of Neurophysiology) and the Donders Institute (e.g. labs working on Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or polyglutamine diseases). In addition, interdisciplinary collaboration with the Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), and/or the Radboud university medical center is strongly encouraged. The Donders Centre for Neuroscience (DCN) is part of the world-renowned Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour (DI), a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 800 researchers. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at DI. An international evaluation committee assessed DI as 'excellent' and as a 'very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for early career talent'. DI fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff for whom English is the lingua franca. DCN is also part of the Faculty of Science at Radboud University.