We are looking for an Assistant Professor who can strengthen our position in the field of Genome editing. Central to this discipline is the development of efficient genetic-based strategies to engineer cells. Recent advances in gene editing based on CRISPR/Cas systems have triggered a revolution in gene targeting and genome editing research, with the potential to radically reshape the treatment of genetic diseases by replacing or deleting defective genes. Developments within this discipline are fast and include, but are not limited to, the discovery and design of novel CRISPR/Cas systems with new or improved functions, enabling diverse medical and biotechnological applications. CRISPR/Cas associated technologies have shown immense promise for human gene and cell therapy, diagnosis, construction of animal- and cell-models for disease investigations, and many other applications including genome editing in plants and microbes.

The ultimate objective of the discipline is the development of effective genetic-based strategies to better combat human diseases. The development of procedures for efficient and safe delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems to target cells or tissues remains crucial for application in clinical gene therapy. The development of CRISPR/Cas-based systems as advanced tools to detect the presence of viral pathogens or treat viral disease is another possible research area.

As Assistant Professor you will:

- set up and develop your own research line and research group, in the field of Genome editing, for instance in some of the topics mentioned above
- supervise PhD candidates
- acquire external funding
- promote the societal relevance of your research
- teach in and contribute to the development of courses in the Bachelor programs of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and Technology, as well as the Master programs of Pharmacy and Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences
- contribute to the organization of the faculty, for example by participating in working groups and committees, in the domains of teaching, research and management.

At the stage of Assistant Professor 60% of your time is for research, 30% for teaching activities and 10% for organizational tasks.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

- a PhD degree in genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, or other related fields
- extensive experience with gene/genome editing using CRISPR-Cas systems
- at least two years of postdoctoral experience outside of the Netherlands, preferably in a different country than where you received your PhD (can be compensated for after the appointment via extended research visits abroad)
- a relevant international network
- excellent research qualities, as shown by a publication record in international peer-reviewed journals and proceedings of renowned conferences
- a good track record in teaching, appropriate to your career stage
- demonstrable organizational competences
- good command of spoken and written English.

And you are:

- a team player with good communication skills
- able to work well in an international, culturally diverse, environment
- able to acquire substantial research grants from external sources
- willing to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) within three years
- able to speak the Dutch language or motivated to speak it within five years.

Fixed-term contract: 84 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities a full-time position as Assistant Professor in our faculty’s tenure track system Career Paths in Science and:

● a salary, depending on qualifications, work experience and your career stage, from € 3,974 (salary scale 11) up to a maximum of € 6,181 gross per month (salary scale 12 ) for a full-time position
● holiday allowance and end-of-year bonus of respectively 8% and 8.3% of your yearly salary;
● a pension scheme
● maternity and parental leave
● the possibility to work part-time (0.9 FTE or 0.8 FTE)
● a mentor program and a broad range of opportunities for personal development
● dual career support for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

Consider our website for more information about the working conditions at the University of Groningen: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/that-is-why/

As Assistant Professor you will enter a tenure track that, if followed successfully, will lead to a Full Professorship in approximately 10 years. In case of a full-time contract, you will initially be appointed for 7 years and your performance will be assessed after 5 years. This moment may be extended with at most one year in case of a life event (e.g. prolonged illness or maternity leave). If your assessment is positive, you will get a tenured appointment as an Associate Professor. After another 4 to 7 years you will be assessed for promotion to the position of Full Professor. Please consider Career Paths in Science for a complete description of our tenure track system as well as the criteria for promotion: https://www.rug.nl/fse/organization/vacatures/vacatures/career-paths-in-science-edition-4?lang=en

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The University of G