Postdoc Position in Epigenome Engineering

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.

Your job
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 and furthermore to develop new project ideas.

You are dedicated scientist with a background in chromatin biology and/or gene regulation and experience in cell engineering, molecular cloning, genomics, and computational data analysis workflows. In addition you:

• have obtained, or are on track to obtain, a PhD with first or co-author publications/preprints in the respective field;
• you are able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team;
• demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills in English.

• an independent postdoc position for initially one year (1.0 FTE), with an extension of two years upon a positive evaluation;
• a gross monthly salary, depending on experience and qualifications, between € 3.546 and €5.538 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 also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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The Genome Biology & Epigenetics (GBE) is embedded within the Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, part of the Department of Biology. 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 groups at the GBE aim to decipher how genetic and epigenetic information is processed into different gene expression programs.

The Baubec lab takes a systems biology approach to understand the role of modifications on histones and DNA. Towards this, we 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. More information about the research in the group can be found here on our website.

For more information, please contact Tuncay Baubec at t.baubec@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.