Antibacterial drug resistance is a pressing medical problem with potentially enormous societal implications. It is generally believed that resistance emerges due to the use or misuse of large quantities of antimicrobials in human healthcare and animal husbandry, leading to the build-up of enormous amounts of antibiotics in the environment. However, the exact underlying molecular mechanisms that drive resistance remain elusive and there is no solution to stop bacteria adopting resistant phenotypes. Applying a chemical biology approach to the resistance problem will help to investigate the biochemical processes involved, and can ultimately lead to the identification of new pathways for drug interference.

As a PhD candidate, you will work on the development of new chemical probes to study drug resistance and RNA biology. Small molecule probes will be designed and synthesised that will help to interrogate the biochemical processes involved in drug resistance with a focus on the role of RNA. Applying the probes to live cells will assist to unravel the molecular mechanisms that cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. The ultimate goal is to translate these findings to new strategies for combatting drug resistance. This research combines organic synthesis; analytical methods such as fluorescence spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF and HPLC; and biochemical techniques including gel electrophoresis, PCR, cell culture and enzyme kinetics. You will communicate your findings via publications in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. You will also be involved in training and teaching BSc and MSc students.

• MSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Pharmacy or a related subject.
• Experience with organic synthesis is a strong plus.
• Strong motivation and interest to work in an interdisciplinary research centre in a highly collaborative environment.
• An independent mind, good communication skills and team spirit.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

Fixed-term contract: your performance will be evaluated after 18 months. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended.

• Employment: 40 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 2.972 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale P).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,325 per month, and will increase to €2,972 in the fourth year (p scale).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: your performance will be evaluated after 18 months. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.
• The intended start date is 1 January 2020.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent and collaboration. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde & Informatica