As a postdoc you will investigate intestinal glycans in inflammatory diseases by mass spectrometry imaging. In the multidisciplinary GlycanTrigger project, we aim to gain new molecular insights in the transition from healthy to chronic inflammation in patients with IBD. A specific focus lies on the changes in glycosylation of specific cell types involved in this transition. To accurately study the role of protein and lipid glycosylation at the single-cell level, new methods need to be developed that allow spatial and in-depth characterization of glycosylated molecules. You will develop on-tissue mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) methods for in-situ N-, O- and lipid-glycan analysis. The in-situ methods need to be complemented with off-tissue analyses with sufficient analytical sensitivity and depth-of-coverage, e.g. LC-MS-based methods. Ultimately, developed methods will be applied to a well-defined cohort of IBD patients to get insight into the role of glycosylation in IBD. This will be done in collaboration with both local clinicians and international partners from the GlycanTrigger consortium.

·         You have obtained your PhD in mass spectrometry imaging or analytical glycoscience (or will do so on very short term);

·         You have a keen interest in, and ample experience with, mass spectrometry imaging;

·         Affinity and experience with computer scripting, and data analysis are a big plus;

·         You must be fluent in English, pro-active and performance driven, structured and accurate, and have good communication and writing skills

Fixed-term contract: duration project.

You will be employed on the basis of 36 hours per week. Your salary is based on your education and experience and is a maximum of  € 5,088  gross per month for a full time position (scale 10 in the Collective Labour Agreement for University Hospitals).

LUMC

At the Leiden University Medical Center, we continuously work on improving patient care. We invest in groundbreaking, international research and work with the latest equipment. Together with our team of doctors, medical specialists, teachers, academic researchers and supporting staff, we aim for the best quality in health care, education and international research. And we need you to realize our goals!

Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics

You will be embedded in the Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics (CPM) at the LUMC. The CPM is the technological core innovator and service provider at the LUMC regarding the analysis of proteins, metabolites, lipids and glycans from biological materials such as cells and tissues. Mass spectrometry is the key technology applied at the CPM, complemented by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and advanced, miniaturized separation techniques. You will be embedded in the Glycomics group under the supervision of Dr. Noortje de Haan and Prof. Manfred Wuhrer. The CPM is made up of multiple PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, research technicians and undergraduate students and you will work in a dynamic team with expertise in glycosciences and MSI.