The project focuses on metabolomics, the field that studies the unique chemical fingerprints that specific metabolic processes leave behind in our bodies. Think of amino acids, sugars, lipids or hormones. These fingerprints give a good image of a person’s current health state. The insights we gain from these fingerprints can be used, for example, for diagnostics or personalised medicine to develop treatments or prevention strategies for diseases such as dementia, or heart or liver failure.

You will work with other researchers together in projects to identify the environmental drivers of health and disease using metabolomics. You will be part of the Exposome-NL project. and you will handle untargeted MS data to measure and identify known and unknown small molecules in blood, urine and other samples.

Our Analytical Biosciences and Metabolomics (ABSM) group at Leiden University develops LC-MS platforms for targeted and untargeted analysis of diverse biospecimen, focusing on human health. You will work in one of the leading metabolomics facilities in Europe where novel pipelines for automated sample pre-treatment and analysis are developed. 

Key responsibilities
We are looking for a bioinformatician, or an analytical chemist with substantial programming experience, with deep understanding of LC-MS and metabolomics. Hands on experience in development of untargeted high resolution MS metabolomics data workflows is required. The role will encompass the following responsibilities:

• Design of untargeted metabolomics data workflows together with the scientific team;
• Development and support of high-resolution LC-MS and DI-MS data processing pipelines using R;
• Integration with existing software and work environments (both locally and with collaborators).

• A degree in Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or related disciplines;
• Scientific understanding of MS-based metabolomics;
• A strong interest and/or track record in processing (high resolution) mass spectrometry data;
• High level experience with R and familiarity with the relevant packages;
• Experience with Python is an advantage, but not required;
• Very good proficiency in English;
• Collaborative mindset;
• Hands-on mentality and self-motivated;
• Initiative, creativity and an independent working attitude are highly valued;

We offer a position for one year (based on 0.8 or 1.0 FTE) that can be extended. Salary ranges from € 2.790,- to € 4.402,- gross per month based on a full-time employment, (pay scale 10 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. 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. For more information, see the website.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University

Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research as a research institute works at the leading edge of drug-design and fundamental research of new drugs, improvements and optimisation of existing drugs, and new developments in personalised medicine. Within Leiden University we participate in the research profile area of 'Bioscience: the science base of health'. Read more information about LACDR on the website.

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 contribute 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 programs. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and almost 5,000 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. For more information, see the website of the Faculty of Science.