The Faculty of Science Leiden and the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for a

Ph.D. candidate for a drug discovery research program in the Pomplun Lab

Vacancy number 21-537

Do you want to develop top edge early drug discovery platforms, embedded in a young and enthusiastic research group? With us you will combine organic synthesis, combinatorial chemistry and high throughput assays to discover hit compounds for challenging drug targets.  Your work at the interface of chemistry and biology will prepare you for a competitive scientific career, both in academia and in the industry.  Join our team in the https://pomplunlab.com at Leiden University!

The identification of novel bioactive compounds is fundamental for every drug discovery campaign. In the Pomplun Lab we develop discovery platforms enabling the rapid discovery of novel hit compounds for therapeutically relevant targets.

You will develop techniques for the combinatorial chemical synthesis of millions of drug-like compounds. You will use these libraries to identify hit compounds that target biomolecules involved in, to date, untreatable diseases. 

The technologies that you will use and learn include organic synthesis, solid phase synthesis, mass spectrometry, high throughput screenings, protein handling and basic cell culture.

Team work: for parts of the project you will work in close collaboration with the computational chemistry group and with biology focused labs at Leiden University

You will supervise M.Sc. and B.Sc. students

You stay abreast of developments in the field, read the literature and participate in relevant conferences.

You are expected to proactively communicate research result to your PI and peers and publish in internationally renowned journals.

A happy, social, welcoming and enthusiastic lab atmosphere is key for our wellbeing and the success of our scientific efforts and you have the opportunity to help shaping such working environment.  The research groups in our division are well connected and we enjoy many social hours, group parties and events together.

Fundamental for a successful completion of your Ph.D. will be your enthusiasm for science, your creative, problem solving oriented thinking and your diligent, result focused work.

We are looking for an excellent, creative, and highly motivated colleague with:

·         an M.Sc. degree in the broad field of chemistry, biochemistry, biopharmaceutical sciences or equivalent;

·         demonstrable research experience in organic synthesis, or biochemistry;

·         excellent written and spoken English;

·         basic programming skills are a plus;

·         well-developed communication and collaboration skills

We offer

We offer a fully funded 4-year Ph.D. position in the vibrant and top edge environment of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research.

The position is available immediately and should start by 01-01-2022, or shortly thereafter. We offer a fulltime position for initially one year.  After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment will be extended by a further three years. You will be appointed in accordance  with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from € 2434,- to € 3111,-  gross per month, depending on experience (pay scale P).

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. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website.

Faculty

The Faculty of Science at Leiden University is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where 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 make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very 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 bachelors’ and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 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.

University

Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Thanks to its committed and inspired employees, the university enjoys a leading role in academic research and education. Leiden also scores very well every year in prominent rankings. This means that, to maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential. Will you become our newest colleague?