ERC funded Postdoc – Molecular Biologist – gene control with synthetic tools
Vacancy number: 22-744

Do you want to develop top edge drug discovery modalities, embedded in a young and enthusiastic research group? With us you will study and develop novel chemical modalities can control gene expression in disease.  Your work at the interface of biology and chemistry will prepare you for a competitive scientific career, both in academia and in the industry.  Join our team in the pomplunlab.com at Leiden University!

The Faculty of Science Leiden and the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a drug discovery program in the Pomplun Lab.

Academic position: project description
Our ultimate goal is creating synthetic tools that can control gene expression in disease. This specific project aims at developing molecular biology and cellular assays to assess the activity of synthetic modalities targeting the genome. You will work in close collaboration with chemists and together optimize compounds that target genes with high sequence specificity.

Key responsibilities

• You will develop molecular biology assays to probe the activity of synthetic transcription factors 
• You will propose creative assays and model systems to assess the synthetic transcription factors’ activity in cellular systems as well as in isolated in vitro settings
• You will supervise PhD, MSc and BSc students and teach them novel technologies (based on your background). You will participate in building up and shaping this young research group.
• You stay abreast of developments in the field, read the literature and participate in relevant conferences.
• You communicate research result to your PI and team,  proactively propose solutions for research problems and publish in internationally renowned journals.

Key for a successful postdoc will be your enthusiasm for science, your creativity, and diligent, result focused work. 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.

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

• an Ph.D. in the broad field of molecular biology, chemical biology, biochemistry, biopharmaceutical sciences or equivalent
• strong  molecular biology  background (experience with qPCR, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, DNA-seq, reporter gene assays etc. are of definitive advantage)
• some affinity for synthetic drug modalities
• ability to work independently (project design , experimental planning, problem solving)
• competitive publication record
• excellent written and spoken English

We offer
We offer a fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position in the vibrant and top edge environment of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research.

The position is available immediately and should  start latest in early 2023. You will be appointed in accordance  with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary will be according to the Dutch Cao salary scales  https://www.medewerkers.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/ul2staff/po/salaris/salaristabel-1-juli-2022.pdf 

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.

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. LACDR is a highly diverse institute, in culture, background, and gender. We stand for excellence in a caring Institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequent varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with a friendly culture. In the Netherlands, a maternity allowance is standard for 16 weeks. Child care is available at and near the Bio Science Park.

You will be working in the modern laboratories of the division of Drug Discovery and Safety at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR). You will be part of a first-generation team in the Pomplun Lab  and participate in ramping up an innovative and groundbreaking research program.