Postdoc position in Virology: antiviral research (0.8-1 fte)

Would you like to contribute to the development of new broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics? Are you looking for a position as a postdoctoral researcher? We have a new opening at the Virology Section where you will be working as part of a large consortium, called PanViPrep, funded by the European Commission.

The threat of virus epidemics continues to increase at an alarming rate. The past two decades witnessed several major outbreaks with the SARS-coronavirus-2 pandemic as the most recent example. There is a great need for (novel) approaches to treat and/or prevent viral infections and to prepare against future emerging zoonotic viruses by developing broad-range  therapeutics.

In this position you will work on the development and optimisation of new small molecule therapeutics. Your work will focus on directly-acting antivirals against enteroviruses and coronaviruses. To this end, you will identify new small molecule inhibitors and assess their antiviral potency, elucidate their target, and characterise their molecular mode of action, with a focus on small molecules that target viral enzymes and proteins involved in the formation of viral replication complexes. Furthermore, you will develop new attenuated viruses and tools to facilitate molecule discovery. 

In this role you will: 

• design and conduct the experimental work for this research project;
• work together with technicians to obtain results;
• write high quality reports for the consortium and research publications;
• supervise research projects of MSc and BSc students.

Your research will be embedded in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, which is part of the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences within the Faculty of Veterinary medicine. You will be supervised and coached in your development by dr. Daniel Hurdiss (Assistant Professor) and Professor Frank van Kuppeveld. 

You will join our large team of about 40 researchers that focuses on the molecular aspects of infection of corona-, picorna-, paramyxo- and influenza viruses. We offer a challenging position in a dynamic environment with plenty of room for initiative and entrepreneurship. This position offers a lot of opportunities to develop yourself and your talents.

To be successful in this role you:

• have received a PhD in the area of molecular life sciences;
• have experience in molecular and cellular biology;
• experience with virology, and affinity with virus-cell-based assays and/or small molecule antivirals is considered a plus;
• 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.

We offer:

• the possibility to  follow training from the UU Development programme;
• a position (0.8-1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with possibility to extend;
• a full-time gross salary between €3,226 and €5,090 in scale 10 of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO);
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.

For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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. Furthermore the faculty delivers expert clinical care at the University Animal Hospital. 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. It is is located at Utrecht Science Park, near the historical city centre of Utrecht.