We are looking for a Staff Scientist Proteomics. The staff scientist Proteomics will, in consultation with and at the request of the Assistant / Associate Professors, spearhead the proteomics activities at the Laboratory of Biochemistry (BIC) with the aim to boost our technological and computational capabilities and establish BIC as a proteomics center-of-expertise.

This will involve:

• support and guidance of the design, execution and analysis of proteomics experiments, in collaboration with BIC research groups,
• advancement of our technical expertise and capabilities by independently developing or establishing novel techniques relevant to BIC research
• building and maintenance of an industrial network for proteomics contract research,
• development of personal skills in the operation of LC-MS instrumentation, to serve as a back-up to the current LC-MS technician.

As a staff scientist, you will serve a triple role, both by taking an independent lead in technology development and implementation, building your personal skills in proteomics, and developing the proteomics center-of-expertise at BIC in support of the research directions determined by the 6 independent group leaders (PIs). In addition, you will contribute to our teaching activities.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• advance the proteomics activities at BIC, in consultation with and at the request of the group leaders;
• independently establish and introduce technological innovations across the proteomics workflow, from protein production, sample preparation, MS analysis to bioinformatic analysis;
• support and guide junior scientists (MSc/PhDs/PDs) in designing and executing new proteomics experiments;
• learn to operate essential proteomics instrumentation, in particular LC-MS;
• develop leadership skills within a new proteomics centre-of-expertise, embedded within the Sector Plan Biology;
• contribute to teaching activities.

The proteomics staff scientist will collaborate closely with all group leaders in the department and with our current LC-MS technician. The staff scientist will report directly to the chair holder of the department.

Background:
The study of protein structure and function is a core activity across the 6 research groups at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of Wageningen University. Proteomics approaches, including those, but not limited to, those based on mass spectrometry (MS), are a core technology used by all our researchers to answer diverse biological questions at the intersection of evolutionary biochemistry, developmental, cellular, structural, and mechano-biology. We see ample opportunities and challenges to bring our proteomics expertise to a new level, by developing new methods for protein identification and quantification with increased sensitivity, for the detection of posttranslational modifications, the resolution of three-dimensional protein structures and whole-protein analysis. We seek to hire a high- level expert who is dedicated to the development, implementation, and analysis of novel proteomics techniques across the entire protein research workflow and breadth of our research palette. The hiring of a permanent senior staff scientist in proteomics expresses our ambition to expand the role of BIC as a local center of protein expertise for the academic and private sector. This position is funded through the Sector Plan Biology, whose implementation at Wageningen University will involve collaboration across groups within defined themes. The successful candidate will liaise and collaborate with other groups within the Sector Plan Biology and where appropriate support proteomics research at Wageningen University.

Your Qualities:
You have a PhD in proteomics, biochemistry or biotechnology and demonstrated independent expertise in the establishment and execution of advanced proteomics workflows, including those based on mass spectrometry.

You also possess:

• experience in state-of-the-art proteomic techniques (e.g., phosphoproteomics, detecting post-translational modifications, like cysteine oxidation, palmitoylation, ubiquitination, proximity labelling, structural/whole protein proteomics, XL-MS, quantitative shotgun proteomics using stabile isotope labelling) and / or strong ambition to embrace them;
• a collaborative and supportive personality;
• the ambition to advance proteomics technologies across the protein research workflow & grow in your role to take a leadership role in a proteomics center-of-expertise, embedded within the Sector Plan Biology;
• the ambition to build a larger network, especially in relevant industries, to acquire funding.

In our international working environment, almost all communication occurs in English. A good to excellent mastery of English in speaking and writing is thus critical.

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So, if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between €3974,- and €5439,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 11). Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which will then be extended to an open-ended contract if there is mutual enthusiasm. Of course, we would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the "30% rule", certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

You will work here:
The Laboratory of Biochemistry is an internationally renowned department that studies the structure and function of the biomolecules that form the fabric of life. Our Laboratory consists of 6 independent but closely collaborating research groups, which study the molecules of life across a broad range of biological contexts, ranging from plant development and mechanobiology, redox biology, protein folding, structure and function, to prokaryotic immune systems. We use tools and concepts from biochemistry, biophysics, and apply advanced functional imaging to cell and developmental biology, to understand the molecular basis of life’s processes. The department is home to extensive experimental facilities, excellent technical and administrative support staff, educational staff and currently 30 PhD students and postdocs.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.