The Faculty of Science and Institute of Biology is looking for a :

Academic Technician, (Metabolomics LED-light-grown plants)
Vacancy number: 23-321

Key responsibilities 
The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the research program of SKY High: Vertical farming, a revolution in plant production funded by Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) perspective. The research program aims at a revolution in the production of fresh vegetable, so-called vertical farming, in which plants grow on stacked layers with LED (light-emitting diode) light. The research consortium of the research program included a multitude of universities including Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam and Wageningen University, all of which contribute to the research program with their own expertise. In this research consortium, the postdoctoral researcher will perform the metabolomics investigation of several plants, for which NMR, LC (UHPLC)-MS and GC-MS as well as isolation and identification of target compounds, aiming at uncovering LED light effect on the physiology of plants. 

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor or Master degree in life sciences (analytical chemistry and phytochemistry are preferable)
• Knowledge of plant metabolism, phytochemistry including both primary and secondary metabolites
• Work experience of NMR spectroscopy or Mass spectrometry 
• Work experience of isolation and identification of natural products
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills. 
• Strong ability to work in a team

Terms and conditions  
We offer a full-time, 1.5 year term position, with the possibility of renewal based on need, funding and performance. Salary range from € 2.810 to € 3.764  gross per month (pay scale 8 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). 
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. 
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Research at our faculty
The Faculty of Science 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 organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has almost 2800 staff and more than 6000 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.

For more information, see  https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and  https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

The Institute for Biology
The research within the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences,  Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study.