Postdoc position in Enterovirus vaccine research (0.8 - 1 FTE)

Would you like to contribute to the development of new enterovirus vaccines as a postdoctoral researcher? We have a new opening at the Virology Section of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University where you will be working on new enterovirus vaccines. 
The group of enteroviruses includes many important human pathogens such as poliovirus (PV), coxsackievirus, and rhinovirus. Moreover, it contains emerging pathogens such as enterovirus A71 (EV-A71, a major cause of hand-foot-and-mouth disease) and EV-D68. There is a great need for an innovative multivalent HFMD vaccine but several CV-A viruses are difficult to propagate, thereby hampering traditional vaccine development.

In this position you will work together with our industrial partner Intravacc to explore the feasibility of multivalent HFMD vaccines. You will develop enterovirus particles with a modified outer surface. You will next assess these for stability, structural integrity, infectivity and immunogenicity in order to deliver the proof-of-concept for these novel vaccines.

In this role you: 

• design and conduct the experimental work for this research project;
• write high quality research publications;
• supervise research projects of Master's and Bachelor's students.

You will join our large team of about 40 researchers that focuses on the molecular aspects of infection of corona-, influenza- and picornaviruses. We offer a challenging position in a dynamic and professional environment with plenty of room for initiative and entrepreneurship. This position offers a lot of opportunities to develop yourself and your talents. You will be given the option to follow trainings from the UU Development programme.

To be successful in this role you:

• have received a PhD and proven interest in virology and molecular biology;
• have experience in molecular biology, virology, recombinant DNA techniques and affinity with structural biology;
• are a team player who is enthusiastic to collaborate with other team members and research groups;
• communicate clearly and effectively and have proven English skills in presenting and writing;
• have a focus on the end result and work towards it in concrete steps. 

In your motivation letter please explicitly indicate what attracts you in this position and your match with the desired experience. Applications without this personal information will not be taken into account.

This is an appointment of 0.8-1 FTE for the duration of two years. You will start with an annual contract, with the option to extend by 1 year for this project and potentially longer for other projects. The minimum gross salary is € 2,846 and the maximum gross salary is € 4,490 (scale 10 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities) per month, at a full-time employment. Besides that, you will receive a holiday allowance of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 %. Utrecht University also has an appealing package of terms of employment, including the choice for a good balance between work and private (a good arrangement for leave, among other things), possibilities for development and an excellent pension scheme. More information on working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1.500 students.

The Virology Section of the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine studies the interaction between viruses and their hosts at the molecular/cell biological level as well as at the level of the organism. Ultimately, we strive to translate obtained knowledge into the development of novel vaccines, antiviral therapies, and diagnostic tools. More information about the Virology Section and our research directions can be found here.