Introduction

Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting? Do you like studying problems in molecular biology using chemical knowledge, algorithms and high performance computing?

The van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences is looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher with experience in biomolecular simulation. Your research is part of the Computational Chemistry group, www.compchem.nl.

What are you going to do

You will investigate protein-DNA complexes using molecular simulation. The challenge is to elucidate the binding and dissociation mechanisms in high detail, and identify the key interactions in why certain proteins selectively bind specific DNA sequences. You will conduct simulations, resulting in both qualitative and quantitative results, employing enhanced sampling algorithms.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• conducting independent research in this project, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or books;
• actively contributing to the research activities of HIMS;
• supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students;

You enjoy learning about new biomolecular systems and simulation algorithms. You are able to explain your work to scientists with experimental expertise. You work independently and can reflect on your own results and conclusions.

Your experience and profile

• PhD in chemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics or molecular biology;
• committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
• flexible, readiness to participate in interdisciplinary cooperation and multidisciplinary development (verifiably focused on collaboration with other disciplines);
• Professional command of English;
• It is a preference if you have experience in molecular simulation techniques, in particular molecular dynamics.

Scientific staff

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38,00 hours per week for a period of 12 months. The preferred starting date is October 2022, but can be discussed. The appointment is full time (38 hours per week), but part-time employment (0,6-0,8 FTE) implicating a longer extension as compensation is negotiable.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,846 to € 4,490 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Onderzoeker 3 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you're moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

Institute/Department

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

The Computational Chemistry Group is one of the research groups within the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Our research focuses on the development and application of advanced molecular simulation and multiscale modelling methodology to obtain novel and improved understanding of the behaviour of (bio)materials, and of complex (bio)chemical and physical processes that are of technological and scientific importance.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.