Assistant Professor in Immune-Stress Interactions

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The Faculty of Science / the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) invite applications for the position of

Assistant Professor in Immune-Stress Interactions
Vacancy number: 14441

Key responsibilities
The successful candidate will be a researcher with a background in cell biology and/or immunology who focuses on studying the immune system in response to stressors, such as challenging environmental conditions or exposure to pathogens. The candidate will establish and lead a new independent research group within the IBL Animal Sciences cluster. We are looking for candidates who can expand and strengthen IBL’s ongoing research programme on modelling human disease. We especially welcome candidates possessing expertise in gene editing techniques. Additionally, we encourage translational approaches combining animal models with human cell culture and organoid systems. The candidate will actively participate in the BSc and MSc Biology education programs.

Selection criteria

• A research profile aligning with existing research at the IBL Animal Sciences cluster, possibly bridging gaps between individual research lines, and bringing complementary interests and expertise
• experience with the zebrafish model system is preferred
• potential or proven track record to lead a research group
• willingness and proven ability to raise research funds through competitive grant proposals
• ability to foster an inspiring and collaborative working environment for a research team enabling students, PhD candidates and postdocs to thrive
• experience with and commitment to teaching at both the BSc and MSc level
• affinity and experience with project and management tasks
• excellent communication skills and fluency in English and Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch

Within the field of animal biology, the IBL performs multidisciplinary research at molecular, cellular, and organismal levels to increase fundamental understanding of health and disease, animal biodiversity, and evolution. Our research environment fosters interaction between researchers with expertise in immunology, stress physiology, disease modelling, behavioural phenotyping and evolutionary development. Applicants will benefit from our state-of the-art facilities and high-quality support for molecular and genomic research, cell culture, and microscopic imaging and animal (fish and bird) facilities. Current research focuses on the animal biology at different levels: understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms of health and disease, the discovery and application of bioactive molecules, animal personalities, organisms in their environment, and animal communication and cognition.

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 are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution 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, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight BSc and twelve MSc programmes. The faculty has grown in recent years and now has almost 2,800 staff and over 6,000 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.

The Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL)
The research within Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences, Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre, the interfaculty Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study. 

Terms and conditions
The successful candidate will be offered a position as principal investigator, at a level that depends on her/his track record. We offer a five- to six-year term position, with the possibility of a tenured position subsequently. The intended start date of the position is January 1, 2025. The monthly salary ranges from € 4.332,- to € 6.737,- depending on experience, corresponding to scale 11-12 for Assistant Professors. Salaries and conditions are 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. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax reduction.

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain this certificate within two years.

Information
Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Dr. Herman Spaink ([email protected] ). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact Christina Kamerman ([email protected] ).

Applications
Applications for this vacancy can be submitted via the blue button of our online system. Please ensure that you include the following documents quoting the vacancy number:

• a motivation letter;
• a description of research interests and experience;
• a full CV (including a list of publications, and the names and contact details of two referees).

Only applications received on or before 31 March 2024 can be considered.

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