The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for a:
Postdoctoral Researcher Chiral Metabolomics (0.8 fte)
Vacancy number: 22-436

Position description
Biology is full of isomers and therefore enantioselective analysis of (endogenous) metabolites could play a key role in the detection/discovery of potential biomarkers for various diseases. However, enantioselective analysis remains a key challenge in metabolomics. In this project, which is part of the Vidi-research program entitled “Enabling volume-restricted metabolomics using next-generation microscale analytical tools” from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) will be considered as the main analytical platform for enantioselective metabolic profiling. CE-MS methods for enantioselective analysis of amino acids will be developed in order to decipher the role of D-amino acids in various neurological diseases. CE-MS method development for chiral metabolic profiling including utility assessment for relevant biomedical applications will be performed in collaboration with various internal and external partners.
You will be appointed at the Metabolomics and Analytics Centre of the LACDR, which is internationally renowned for analytical method development in metabolomics and also for its use of metabolomics to address challenging biological questions.

Profile of Postdoctoral Researcher Chiral Metabolomics
The responsibilities of the position include: 

•     Analytical method development using mass spectrometry
•    Development of new concepts/tools within the scope of the defined project
•    Analyzing the generated data and preparing manuscripts
•    Carrying out the chiral metabolomics project in close collaboration with internal/external  partners

Selection Criteria 
The candidate should fulfill (most of) the following criteria: 

•    PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Metabolomics, Pharmaceutical Sciences or comparable
•    Strong team player with proven organizational skills
•    Experience with mass spectrometry-based metabolomics
•    Experience with biostatistics
•    Excellent communication skills in English (both in speaking and writing)

Terms and conditions  
We offer a fulltime, one year term position, for 0.8 fte with a salary range from €2.960 – €4.670  gross per month (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 and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions. 

A program for courses to further develop supervision, teaching and leadership skills is available. 

 Our organization
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 have 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 is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, to chemistry, bio-pharmaceutical sciences 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 2,384 staff and almost >5000 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.