We are looking for a motivated research technician who is interested in fundamental research at the interface of biochemistry and molecular virology. Will you join our team?

Non-coding RNA fulfill various functions in living cells ranging from the regulation of transcription, splicing and protein synthesis. The recent discovery of membrane-associated, extracellular RNAs that are coated by sugar molecules (so-called glycoRNAs) suggests additional unexplored functions of non-coding RNAs and has opened an exciting research field at the border of RNA and glyco-biology.

In this project, we will use bio-orthogonal labeling of complex sugars (glycans) in order to specifically enrich glycoRNAs in primary immune cells isolated from human blood. We will closely collaborate with the research group of Dr. Christian Büll, expert in glyco-biochemistry at the Radboud University faculty of science. The aim of the project is to study glycoRNA expression in response to dengue virus infections and unravel their role in controlling communication of immune cells involved in antiviral immunity.

You are a highly motivated, independent worker and analytical thinker. You are experienced in isolation and culture of human immune cells and familiar with molecular biology techniques related to RNA and/or glyco-biochemistry. Prior training to work with viruses is preferred but not required. You are an independent worker and analytical thinker. This project is a newly established research line in the laboratory; a highly independent and proactive working attitude is therefore desirable.

Furthermore you have:

• A recent hbo/hlo degree in a domain of Molecular Life Sciences. Students who hold a recent MSc degree are welcome to apply to this position.
• Experience in isolation and culture of primary immune cells from blood.
• Experience in techniques related to RNA and glyco-biochemistry, in particular bio-orthogonal chemistry preferred.
• Affinity with fundamental research related to molecular virology.
• Good communication skills and good command of spoken and written English.

Fixed-term contract: 8 months.

Starting date is 1 September 2022. Working at Radboud university medical center means that you are ahead of the curve and working together on the healthcare of the future. And there is more. Our secondary terms of employment are impressive. These are fully tailored to you thanks to our Employment Conditions Selection Model. At Radboud university medical center, you will be given trust, and you will take the responsibility to handle everything together. We provide annual courses, both professional and personal.

• In addition to your monthly salary and an annual vacation allowance of 8%, you will receive an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• If you work irregular hours, you will receive an allowance.
• As a full-time employee (36 hours per week), you are entitled to approximately 168 vacation hours (over 23 days) per year.
• Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. You pay the rest of the premium with your gross salary.
• You get a discount on health insurance as well: you can take advantage of two group health insurance plans. UMC Zorgverzekering and CZ collectief.

In addition to our terms of employment, we also offer employees various other attractive facilities, such as childcare and sports facilities. Want to learn more? Take a look at the CAO UMC.

Radboudumc

The Department of Medical Microbiology - laboratory of Experimental Virology (Principal Investigators: Prof. Ronald van Rij and Dr. Pascal Miesen) studies arbovirus-host interactions in mosquitoes and mammals. The laboratory is affiliated with the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), a multidisciplinary research institute of Radboud University and Radboudumc. RIMLS offers access to state-of-the-art core facilities, including cellular imaging, proteomics, and genomics.
Close collaborator in this project is the department of Biomolecular chemistry (Principal investigator: Dr Christian Büll). The group is affiliated with the faculty of Science at the Radboud university within the Institute for molecules and materials.

Radboudumc
Radboud university medical center is a university medical center for patient care, scientific research, and education in Nijmegen. Radboud university medical center strives to be at the forefront of shaping the healthcare of the future. We do this in a person-centered and innovative way, and in close collaboration with our network. We want to have a significant impact on healthcare. We want to improve with each passing day, continuously working towards better healthcare, research, and education. And gaining a better understanding of how diseases arise and how we can prevent, treat, and cure them, day in and day out. This way, every patient always receives the best healthcare, now and in the future. Because that is why we do what we do.

Read more about our strategy and what working at Radboud university medical center means. Our colleagues would be happy to tell you about it. #weareradboudumc