The Division of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery of Utrecht University is seeking outstanding applicants for a tenure-track faculty position to broaden its research focus. We invite applications from individuals who will develop a cutting-edge research program focused on applying chemical approaches to investigate biological and disease processes. Preferential consideration will be given to candidates who will develop a research program dealing with synthetic biology such as the manipulation of the biosynthetic machinery of host organisms or cell free systems to produce therapeutic glycoproteins. Other areas of interest include examining the importance of post-translational modifications such as glycosylation for microbiology, microbiota, immunology, neurobiology, metabolomics, and tumor biology.
You are expected to actively seek funding for new research projects through personal, national, European and other international granting opportunities and supervise research projects of post-doctoral researchers, PhD candidates and Masterstudents. In addition, you have the ambition to actively participate in the teaching activities at Bachelor and Master Level.

Candidates should have a PhD, at least two years of postdoctoral research experience and a strong track record in research accomplishments. You have the vision and ambition to build an independent research program, and the ability to obtain extramural research funding. You have affinity and enthusiasm for academic teaching, and the potential to coach and to guide PhD and other students. You have obtained or are willing to obtain your Basic Teaching Qualification. You are able to demonstrate excellent English language proficiency. We require a qualification English at C1 level (CEFR or comparable to level 3 of the lecturer Assessment Grid) or you are prepared to obtain this level by training. Our department is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce, and we strongly welcome women to apply.

We offer a position (1.0 FTE) for the duration of five years in an international working environment. In case of a good performance, an indefinite employment is one of the possibilities. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,637 and €5,656 (scale 11/12 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment.

The candidate is offered a tenure track position of 5 years, which will be subject to a mid-term evaluation after approximately 2,5 years and an end-term evaluation. When evaluations are positive the position becomes permanent after 5 years. The appointment is at the level of assistant professor (“universitair docent”).

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

Enjoy a great work-life balance in a wonderful city. Utrecht is an attractive city located in the heart of the Netherlands, one of the world’s most open and connected countries. Utrecht University reflects this philosophy by offering a flexible work-life balance that prioritizes your well-being in an understanding and supportive, international environment.

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 societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 6,000 students and nearly 1,500 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.


Utrecht University has great ambitions for its teaching quality and study success rates. This also applies to its clear research profiles which are centred around four themes: Sustainability, Life Sciences, Youth & Identity, and Institutions. Utrecht University plays a prominent role in our society and contributes to finding the answers to topical and future societal issues.

The Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (CBDD) group focuses on the design, chemo- or biosynthesis of compounds with biological or (potential) medicinal applications and interactions with their receptors. Insights thus obtained could lead to new bio-active compounds, new approaches for the treatment of still incurable diseases and new approaches to unsatisfactory treatments. We are interested in answering questions related to understanding as well as influencing peptide-protein, glycanprotein and protein-protein interactions that underlie infection, immunological- and neurological disorders and cancer. Glycans, glycoconjugates, peptides and peptidomimetics are synthesized and studied. The research program is part of the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) and the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research.