The division of Drug Discovery and Safety aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of cellular signalling that defines the efficacy of anticancer drugs as well as the unanticipated adverse responses on critical normal target tissues. A focus is on the identification of novel drug targets that are involved in cancer dissemination and anticancer drug resistance. Mechanistic understanding of adverse drug reactions is focused on liver and kidney injury, the major organs for toxicity. The approaches involve high throughput functional genomics screening in combination with phenotypic and signalling pathway reporter live single cell imaging. Genetic engineering is applied to establish fluorescent reporter cancer cell lines and human induced-pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) models and human relevant mutations and knock outs. Omics technologies are applied to identify candidate signalling components and pathways for further investigation. Relevant advanced 3D human organoid model systems are integrated in the research and translation to clinical settings is established. The investigations are part of (inter)national research programs.

The assistant professor will scientifically contribute to the above research in the division and actively contribute to the scientific excellence and publication strategies. The candidate will support and guide both undergraduate and graduate students with their mechanism-based investigations. He/she should contribute to the acquisition of research grants and scientific writing. The candidate will also actively contribute to the BSc and MSc program of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, involving the coordination of teaching modules and supervision of internship research.

• A PhD in a relevant bio-medical sciences discipline or related field;
• Preferred background in high content screening and/or omics technologies;
• Several years post-doc experience;
• Enthusiastic and ambitious;
• Independent thinker;
• Expertise in advanced molecular biology techniques and cell signalling;
• Excellence in teaching and experience in course development;
• Excellent scientific writing skills ;
• Ideal soft skills to supervise undergraduate and graduate students;
• Strong team player.

We offer a full-time, 1 year term position, with the possibility of 3 year  renewal based on need, funding and performance. Salary range from € 3.637,-  to  € 4.978,-  gross per month (pay scale 11 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.

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already  possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years., There’s a language proficiency of minimum level Cl required  for staff who will teach in English.

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij

Faculty of Science

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 organized 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 more than 2200 staff and almost 4200 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. 

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is a leading institute dedicated to world-class research and education in drug discovery and development. LACDR comprises a diverse and international team of approximately 150 researchers.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science