Utrecht University is looking for a postdoc in Gene Regulation and Epigenetics who will join the Baubec Lab.

Your job
Chemical modifications of histones and DNA provide an important regulatory layer for gene expression control and numerous other processes in the cell. In this context, individual and combinatorial modifications guide spatiotemporal recruitment of regulatory factors to specific regions in the genome. Despite many efforts to characterise chromatin-mediated regulation of gene activity, the direct involvement of chromatin marks in instructing transcriptional outcomes remains unclear and requires further investigation.

This project aims to bridge chromatin engineering and epigenomics to study epigenetic regulation of transcriptional processes. Potential approaches will involve manipulation of epigenetic marks in embryonic stem cells, investigating changes in epigenetic landscapes and transcription upon controlled manipulation, and/or engineering of synthetic chromatin states. You are encouraged to bring in your individual ideas and expertise to the current project.

We are looking for a colleague who will bring the following:

• You have a background in chromatin biology and/or gene regulation and and bring experience in genomics or proteomics data analysis workflows.
• You have obtained, or are on the way to obtain your PhD, and have first or co-author publications/preprints in the respective field.
• You are able to work independently and in a team and you have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of three years upon positive evaluation;
• a gross monthly salary – depending on previous qualifications and experience – between €3,226 and €5,090 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. 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.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

The Genome Biology & Epigenetics (GBE) is embedded within the Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity - an inspiring and highly interactive scientific environment covering various disciplines ranging from Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Biophysics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. As part of this institute, the GBE aims to decipher how genetic and epigenetic information is processed into different gene expression programmes.

The Baubec Lab takes a systems biology approach to understand the role of modifications on histones and DNA. Towards this, they combine various experimental and computational strategies, including genome and epigenome engineering, genome-wide studies, proteomics, single-cell measurements, and computational modelling. We use mouse embryonic stem cells and their differentiation to neuronal and haematopoietic cells as our main model system. This integrative approach allows us to understand gene regulatory mechanisms in a quantitative and functional manner.