Project Description
MAC is looking to hire a PhD student for the development of innovative high throughput and automated metabolomics methods. You will develop and validate methods that can analyse hundreds of metabolites within minutes, and these methods should be robust and affordable and therefore allow to analyze large sets of samples from population studies, clinical studies, and from routine healthcare. You will explore the use of short columns, combine several short columns, use rapid gradients or offline automated fractionation combined with direct infusion mass spectrometry (MS). You will use advanced MS/MS strategies to identify and quantify the metabolites you detect, and preferably report concentrations for the most important metabolites. For this you will work with state-of-the-art high resolution mass spectrometers and an advanced automated sample preparation systems. You will develop the proper data processing strategy together with your colleagues. You will apply the HT metabolomics methods to analyze clinical samples for biomarker discovery and validation studies. You will work within the Hypermarker consortium (www.hypermarker.eu) in which we will develop and validate a pharmacometabolomic optimization of treatment of hypertension, and within Exposome-NL (www.exposome.nl) where we develop methods to measure the impact of environmental factors on health and disease.

Key responsibilities

• Focus on 1) developing innovative high throughput mass-spectrometric methods including advanced MS/MS strategies and 2) automating the workflow from sample preparation to analysis using robotic sample handling set-ups.
• Support education activities in the bachelor and master programs of analytical biosciences.
• Publish scientific articles in international peer-review journals, present at national and international conferences and follow PhD courses based on individual training and supervision plan.

Selection criteria

• Recent master’s degree in Chemistry, Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or comparable, preferably with a focus on Analytical Chemistry
• Interest in the field of metabolomics, mass spectrometry, automation of sample preparation, robotics and programming
• Independent and creative team player with strong communication skills
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Excellent organisational and planning skills (efficient time management)

Terms and conditions
We offer a full-time appointment initially for one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, teaching evaluations, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended for another three years. You will be appointed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from € 2.770,- per month in the first year to € 3.539,- gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. 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 program. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.
All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

Diversity and work-life balance
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. LACDR is a highly diverse institute, in culture, background, and gender. We stand for excellence in a caring Institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequent varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with a friendly culture.

Universiteit Leiden

Our organization
Working at the Faculty of Science means being part of an exciting, dynamic scientific environment which sets high standards for its students and staff. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences.

The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 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. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science.

The ambition of MAC at the LACDR is to develop innovative analytical strategies for metabolomics-driven health monitoring and systems biology studies. Understanding the intricate balance between health, disease and adaptation to challenges relies on the identification of systematic changes during time. We believe that health monitoring and personalized medicine approaches can be achieved with clinical studies involving multiple patient samples. MAC has been a pioneer in metabolomics since early 2000, and combines advanced metabolomics technologies, innovative sample preparation and robotics for high throughput analysis of clinical samples, organ-on-a-chip models, and computational and FAIR digital twinning expertises. MAC houses a beyond-state-of-the-art metabolomics and mass spectrometry lab with automated and robotic sample preparation. Patient-derived in-vitro and organ-on-chip models are used to understand biomarkers and early disease markers identified in clinical studies. MAC is involved in many national and international academic, clinical and industrial collaborations, and has the ambition to translate findings and technologies into healthcare and drug research.