We are looking for an Assistant Professor who can strengthen our position in the field of technological and biopharmaceutical aspects of advanced dosage forms. With the ultrafast development and introduction of mRNA-based vaccines against COVID, a next step has been taken in the advanced administration of complex drugs and vaccines. However, this was not accompanied by a similar development of novel formulation technologies and dosage forms. Research into useful forms of administration and a deeper understanding of their biopharmaceutical performance are essential in order to be able to use the mRNAs as a therapeutic agent, in addition to being used as a vaccine. This transition to mRNA-based therapeutics would require the development of formulations and delivery systems that, in contrast to current mRNA vaccines (which are administered as non-targeted lipid nanoparticles), are able to specifically exert their effect in targeted cells, as well as simpler forms of administration that can be used safely and on a regular basis. The candidate is expected to (further) develop an excellent research line on the technological and biopharmaceutical aspects of advanced dosage forms, with the aim to open up new application fields (especially with regard to mRNA-based therapeutics and therapeutic proteins) and to establish collaborations with relevant industrial and academic stakeholders.

A successful candidate will be able to link various aspects of material science, chemical and physical technology and engineering, through dosage form design and formulation, to the application of drugs in patients using the most optimal dosage form regarding the biology, pathology, route of administration and convenience of use. Physicochemical research on pure compounds and excipients forms the basis for the design and characterization of novel dosage forms in vitro and in vivo, up to the level of testing in healthy volunteers and patients.

As Assistant Professor you will:

● set up and develop your own research line and research group in the field described above
● supervise PhD candidates
● acquire external funding
● promote the societal relevance of your research
● teach in and contribute to the development of courses in the Bachelor and Master programs of Pharmacy
● contribute to the organization of the faculty, for example by participating in working groups and committees, in the domains of teaching, research and management.

At the stage of Assistant Professor 60% of your time is for research, 30% for teaching activities and 10% for organizational tasks.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

● a PhD degree in pharmaceutical or biomedical/life sciences or a related field, with a strong background in pharmaceutical technology and/or the development of advanced dosage forms, such as nanomedicines or new dosage forms for therapeutic proteins or vaccines
● at least two years of postdoctoral experience outside of the Netherlands, preferably in a different country than where you received your PhD (can be compensated for after the appointment via extended research visits abroad) or 4 or more years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in an international R&D environment
● a relevant international network in academia and the pharmaceutical industry
● excellent research qualities, as shown by a publication record in international peer-reviewed journals and proceedings of renowned conferences
● a good track record in teaching, appropriate to your career stage
● demonstrable organizational competences
● good command of spoken and written English.

And you are:

● a team player with good communication skills
● able to work well in an international, culturally diverse environment
● able to acquire substantial research grants from external sources
● willing to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) within three years
● able to speak the Dutch language or motivated to learn to speak it within five years.

Fixed-term contract: 84 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:a full-time position as Assistant Professor in our faculty’s tenure track system Career Paths in Science and:

● a salary, depending on qualifications and work experience, from € 3,974 (salary scale 11) up to a maximum of € 6,181 gross per month (salary scale, depending on your career stage) for a full-time position
● holiday allowance and end-of-year bonus of respectively 8% and 8.3% of your yearly salary
● a pension scheme
● maternity and parental leave
● the possibility to work part-time (0.9 FTE or 0.8 FTE)
● a mentor program and a broad range of opportunities for personal development
● dual career support for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen

Consider our website for more information about the working conditions at the University of Groningen: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/that-is-why/

As Assistant Professor you will enter a tenure track that, if followed successfully, will lead to a Full Professorship in approximately 10 years. In case of a full-time contract, you will initially be appointed for 7 years and your performance will be assessed after 5 years. This moment may be extended with at most one year in case of a life event (e.g. prolonged illness or maternity leave). If your assessment is positive, you will get a tenured appointment as an Associate Professor. After another 4 to 7 years you will be assessed for promotion to the position of Full Professor. Please consider Career Paths in Science for a complete description of our tenure track system as well as the criteria for promotion: https://www.rug.nl/fse/organization/vacatures/vacatures/career-paths-in-science-edition-4?lang=en

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The University of G