We are actively searching for a committed Assistant or Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence for pharmaceutical protein science/proteomics. You will form a bridge between the Department of Information and Computing Sciences and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and will be part of the Utrecht Bioinformatics Center and AI Technology for Life group. The level of the position offered will vary, depending on experience and expertise.

Pharmaceutical Proteomics and Protein Science generates ample data and models that need to be converted into intelligent therapeutically relevant knowledge. It aims to optimally use and combine data generated for the discovery of drugs, the development of drugs, or the use of drugs. The aim is to increase predictiveness of the currently used methods, while decreasing tests in animals and humans. In our institute, the Heck-lab generates large amounts of data on proteomes, including bioactive peptides, endogenous antibodies and (presented) antigens. AI algorithms and tools could be applied to prediction of protein-protein or protein-drug interactions, but also for de novo antibody and/or HLA antigen sequencing.
The focus of this position could be for instance on immunoinformatics; the data science that helps understanding the molecular recognition of our immune system. Another focus could be on prediction protein structure and antibody-antigen interactions. 

You possess a proven commitment and talent for research. As teaching is also an essential part of the work, it is important that you possess a demonstrable motivation to teach. The faculty provides a dynamic work environment. Our approach is characterized by a collaborative, open, and can-do spirit that stimulates personal initiative and curiosity. You are a team player who is encouraged to take ownership and create value while sharing your knowledge both internally and across the wider (global) community. Every day we aim to live up to this mission because we believe it is the only way to make the breakthroughs that will help solve the challenges facing the world.

If you are excited to actively participate and collaborate in Data Science in the Life Sciences, we invite you to apply.

We are looking for an enthusiastic new colleague who bridges two Departments, and fits well with the following qualifications:

• a PhD in Computer Science, Information Science or another relevant discipline, preferably in the areas of AI, Machine Learning, Data Science;
• you have experience in protein science;
• publications with impact, in international conferences and journals;
• experience with, or good prospects for acquiring external research funds;
• a vision on future research directions in your own area of expertise;
• a vision on teaching and your own contribution to teaching;
• experience with, or readiness to supervise PhD projects;
• experience with and enthusiasm for teaching and student supervision;
• the ability to teach in departmental Bachelor's and Master's programmes;
• experience with or willingness to use innovative teaching methods, and (e-learning) technologies;
• the ability to speak and write English fluently.

• An appointment as Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (depending on experience and expertise), starting with a fixed-term contract. Following a positive evaluation after 18 months, this will be converted into a permanent contract. 
• A full-time gross salary – depending on previous qualifications and experience – ranging from €3,974 to €6,181 in scale 11 or 12 (Assistant Professor) or €5,506 to €7,362 in scale 13 or 14 (Associate Professor);
• salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year;
• a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes, and partially paid parental leave based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities;
• special perks include the assistance of a new PhD candidate funded by the Departments in order to start up your research, the possibility to develop towards acquiring a Basic Teaching Qualification, supported with educational development programmes offered by the University, and the possibility to travel to conferences.

In addition to the employment conditions laid in the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

For international employees, the University offers help with finding housing, child care and schools, as well as a partner programme and a Dutch language course.

For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

Sharing science, shaping tomorrow. A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. You can watch the Utrecht University Campus Tour to get an impression of our university.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

The Department of Information and Computing Sciences (ICS) is nationally and internationally renowned for its fundamental and applied research in computer science and information science. In our constantly changing (digital) society, we are continually looking for new, realistic ways to push the boundaries of both science and societal application. We contribute to innovative information technologies through the development and application of new concepts, theories, algorithms, and software methods. With our expertise, we nourish a wide range of interdisciplinary and societal collaboration initiatives. Due to our successful educational programmes and our ambitions in research, the Department of Information and Computing Sciences is expanding.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences has combined the research of its five divisions in the Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences. The ARWU/Shanghai ranking 2021 Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences ranks Utrecht University at position 20 in the world, and 7 in Europe. The focus of research is Advanced and Affordable Biomolecular and Cellular Therapies, such as antibodies. The department offers Bachelor's and Master’s programmes in Pharmacy, and collaborates in the Bachelor’s programme Molecular and Biophysical Life Sciences, and the Master’s programmes Drug Innovation and Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity. The latter are part of the largest Graduate School of Life Sciences of Europe. The Department currently comprises 25 Chairs and around 250 other scientific staff, including Postdocs and PhD candidates.

Both departments collaborate with the other departments of the Faculty of Science and in the University it has, among others, close collaborations with the University Medical Center, and the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine, Humanities and Geosciences.