Are you interested in forensic analytical chemistry and looking for a challenging PhD project? Then we may have the ideal position for you! In the Analytical Chemistry-group that is at the forefront in the field of multidimensional separation methods, mass spectrometry and forensic applications of analytical chemistry, we are looking for a motivated PhD student, who under the direct supervision of prof dr Arian van Asten will work on developing novel analytical chemistry methods for the chemical profiling of explosive precursors and for trace transfer and persistency studies of explosives. Your PhD research is part of an EU H2020 project and you will interact with and present your results to the project partners in the consortium led by FOI, the Swedish Defence Research Agency. You will conduct your research in the laboratories of the various Dutch

A Post-Doc position is available initially for 12 months for a project in collaboration with biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The project deals with the screening, protein engineering and application (i.e., study of reaction conditions) of enzymes for the synthesis of chiral amines and amino acids. The position is immediately available and will start as soon as possible.

What are you going to do?

You will work on the generation of new biocatalysts for the synthesis of chiral amino acids and chiral amines. The main part of the project will be: (i) the screening of enzymes already available at the HIMS-Biocat group for the conversion of substrates of interest for the synthesis of intermediates for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); (ii) the selection of the best enzyme candidates and enhancement of their catalytic activity and stability through protein engineering; (iii) study and optimization of the reaction conditions for the synthesis of the target molecules using the engineered enzymes; (iv) write of scientific reports and manuscripts.

What do we require of you?

Candidates must hold a PhD in chemistry or biotechnology with an expertise in the area of biocatalysis. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience in standard cloning techniques, PCR, protein expression and purification, and performing, handling and analysis of enzymatic reactions. Experience in computational/structural analysis of proteins is a plus.

The ability to collaborate and adapt in an international team is required and candidates must possess good communication skills in oral and written English. Due to limitations in recruitment budget we will preferably consider candidates that are currently in Europe.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours a week, preferably starting on 1 August 2021 or 1 September 2021 for the duration of 12 months. The selection process commences immediately and it will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this is prior to the final date of the application window.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,790 to €4,402 (scale 10) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science - Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Synthesis & Catalysis, Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Photonics.

The Biocatalysis group is headed by Dr. Francesco Mutti. In general, the Biocatalysis group carries out cutting-edge research at the interface between chemical and biological sciences. The research mainly focuses on the development of novel biocatalysts for the sustainable synthesis of high-value chemical products as well as for the degradation and recycling of waste materials. Complementary research lines are either the identification and characterization, or the engineering of novel enzymes, application of enzymes in cascades reactions in vitro (in batch or in flow) and in vivo.