Start your own research group within the division of Infectious diseases & Immunology at the faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University!

Wat ga je doen?
We are looking for a Principal Investigator at the Assistant Professor level in the area of Molecular Microbiology to strengthen the Infection Biology group. As an Assistant Professor you will be given the opportunity to set up your own line of research and will participate in teaching.

The Infection Biology group is focused on the molecular mechanisms of bacteria-host interactions and host-pathogen communication. The current team consists of Dr. Karin Strijbis (mucosal bacteria-host interactions), Dr. Esther Nolte-‘t Hoen (extracellular vesicles in host-pathogen interactions) and Dr. Marc Wösten (bacterial virulence and alternatives to antibiotics). We want to complement this team by adding an additional PI with a research line in the area of Molecular Microbiology/Bacteriology. Examples of research areas of interest include virulence and commensalism mechanisms, structural biology, drug discovery and vaccine development. The Infection Biology group is a highly collaborative environment based on the conviction that we make each other stronger. By sharing insights and inspiring each other we support each other’s ambitions and personal and professional development.

You will be expected to build or continue a successful research line and obtain independent external funding for new research projects. The goal is to become a permanent member of the Infection Biology team. For this application, we invite you to include a description of your future research project with potential synergy with the existing Infection Biology research lines in your motivation letter. In addition to research, you will participate in outreach activities and committee work and participate in teaching of microbiology-related courses to BSc and MSc students and supervision of student internships.

As our new colleague, you will become part of our dynamic and inspiring Life Sciences community at the Utrecht University Science Park. Interaction with other groups in our Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and beyond (e.g. Utrecht Medical Centre, Hubrecht Institute) will be highly encouraged.

You will be part of an exciting research environment with technical support and laboratory facilities including full range of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culturing at BSL-I and BSL-II level, cell culture, complex primary cell culturing of human and animal tissues, advanced microscopy and flow cytometry, and technologies for nanoparticle isolation/characterization. Support for funding application is available at the research support office and the experienced PIs within our group.

We are offering a position at Assistant Professor level in which we will support you in your personal development and professional growth as a research group leader and teacher within our team. An assessment can be part of the procedure or the contract.

You have the dedication and drive to build an independent research line as well as an intrinsic motivation to add your skills and ideas to our collaborative team. You also:

• demonstrate high motivation and passion for molecular microbiology;
• have completed a PhD and gained postdoctoral experience in microbiology, infection biology, cell biology, innate immunology or equivalent;
• possess and will further develop a research profile that aligns with and complements other research themes at Infection Biology;
• show scientific creativity and productivity, as evident in recent publications in international peer-reviewed journals or peer-reviewed conferences;
• actively participate in international scientific communities;
• have experience with leading a small group of scientists, student supervision and/or with teaching in BSc and MSc programmes;
• demonstrate the ability to be an active team player, striving to create a supportive, collaborative, sustainable and inclusive work environment.

• An Assistant Professor position (0.9-1.0 FTE), starting with a temporary contract. You will receive formal feedback on performance and skills during bi-annual assessment meetings. If the performance is evaluated positively, you will be appointed in a permanent position;
• a full-time gross salary between €4,332 and €5,929 in scale 11 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 CAO.

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.

Universiteit Utrecht

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. Shaping science, sharing 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 the Utrecht Science Park, near the historical city centre of Utrecht.