The Faculty of Science / the Institute of Biology Leiden are looking for an: 

Assistant/Associate Professor Biochemistry of the Bacterial Cell Wall and Cell Membrane (1.0 FTE)

Vacancy number: 22-354 

Key responsibilities 
The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) is engaged in high impact research and education activities under three main divisions: microbial, plant, and animal sciences with a broad scope ranging from molecular and cellular levels, to organismal and population levels. The IBL has a collaborative atmosphere that is fostered by strong expertise focused around four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease, and Evolution & Biodiversity. The overall leading principle of our research is harnessing biodiversity for health. The IBL is a growing institute and wishes to recruit three new group leaders who are, or will become, the future leaders in their field of expertise for both research and education. 
In the division of Microbial Sciences, we perform multidisciplinary research to understand the structure and function of microbes at all levels of biological organization, from small molecules and cellular structures at atomic resolution, to multicellular communities. In doing so, we harness Nature's Biodiversity to discover novel bioactive molecules and enzymes, which find application in the clinical trajectory and in biotechnology. For the advertised Assistant/Associate Professor position, the candidate would be embedded within the Research Theme Bioactive Molecules. Here, we study the biological role of bioactive natural substances and how they affect the complex biological processes relevant to health and disease. A major focus of the appointee’s research program will be the identification and mechanistic characterization of aspects of bacterial cell wall/cell membrane biosynthesis that in turn may provide new avenues for antibiotic discovery. These activities are directly related to the IBL’s strong track record in pursuing novel antibiotics and antibacterial strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

Selection criteria 
•    A PhD in biochemistry/chemical biology or related field;
•    A track record with high-quality publications demonstrating collaborations and multidisciplinarity;
•    Strong expertise in protein biochemistry and protein-ligand interactions;
•    Expertise in cell-based assays (prokaryotic and eukaryotic);
•    Affinity for structural biology, protein mutagenesis, and protein engineering;
•    A broad international network of collaborations;
•    Successful in raising research funds;
•    Ability to foster an inspiring working environment for a research team, in which PhDs and postdocs feel supported and have the ability to thrive;
•    Energetic ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker with a clear view on a challenging and innovative research and education program;
•    Excellent command of the English language;
•    A good command of the Dutch language, or prepared to learn the Dutch language.

Terms and conditions
The successful candidate will be offered a position as principal investigator, at a level that depends on her/his track record. We offer a five- to six-year term position, with the possibility of a tenured position subsequently. The monthly salary ranges from € 3,821 to € 5,943 depending on experience, corresponding to scale 11-12 for assistant professors. Salaries and conditions are 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 and sabbatical leave. 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 reduction. 

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/she must be willing to obtain this certificate within two years. Within two years, a Dutch language proficiency of minimally level B2 is required. 

Our organisation
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 driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. 

The research carried out at the faculty 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 BSc and twelve MSc programmes. The faculty has grown 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.

The Institute for Biology 
The research within the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences,  Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study.