PhD Candidate in Glycobiology and Biomolecular Chemistry (1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,443 - € 3,122
• Faculty of Science
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 31 May 2022

With leading research into glycobiology and biomolecular chemistry, we can contribute to revolutionizing the healthcare of today and tomorrow. This requires curious individuals who want to push the experimental boundaries of science with their talent and expertise. As a PhD Candidate, you get to explore the future of biomedicine with our state-of-the-art facilities.

Glycans are the most structurally diverse biomolecules in nature. They convey complex biological information regulating cell-type specific interactions and functions. Changes in glycosylation are involved in every major disease including inflammation, autoimmunity, and infection. Deciphering and reprogramming of the biological information content of glycans will enable us to unleash the full potential of these versatile molecules in biomedicine.

The Biomolecular Chemistry Department is looking for a PhD candidate to decode and rewrite the biological information conveyed by glycans. The focus will be on understanding and directing glycan interactions in the immune system and with the intestinal microbiome. As a PhD candidate, you will develop novel tools to read the biological information of glycans and apply CRISPR-based gene editing to rewrite this information in human cell systems. You will develop glycoengineered cells and use them as 'mini factories' for the production of custom-designed glycans and glycoproteins and study their effects on immune and microbiome interactions. To this end, you will apply molecular biology and biochemistry techniques and develop novel types of glycan binding assays. Ultimately, your research will be applied to restore healthy interactions with glycan-binding receptors in the immune system and microbiome in the context of inflammation and autoimmunity.

You will communicate your findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. Furthermore, you will be involved in training and teaching BSc and MSc students (up to 10% of your appointment).

Profile

• You have a Master degree in molecular life sciences, genetic engineering, chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related field. 
• You have a good command of written and spoken English.
• You are a team player, open-minded, curious, and have a strong motivation to work at an interdisciplinary research institute.
• You have a strong interest in the field of glycobiology and/or genetic engineering.
• You want to apply fundamental biochemistry research in the context of inflammation and autoimmunity.

We are

The position is available at the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry of the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM). You will join the research group of Dr Christian Bül l, investigating how glycosylation is regulated and to understand the role of glycans in inflammation, autoimmunity and host-microbiome interactions at the molecular level. You will develop a combination of genetic and biochemical tools and apply these in cell models to understand and be able to reprogram the cellular glycosylation machinery. Ultimately, you will explore the potential of these versatile biomolecules as therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases. Our research aligns with IMM's Chemistry of Complex Systems research theme. 

IMM is a research institute in chemistry and physics. It is part of the Faculty of Science  at Radboud University and promotes interdisciplinary research. Its mission is to design and create functional molecules and materials to fundamentally understand their behaviour. IMM consists of 24 research groups active in fields ranging from condensed matter physics to organic chemistry and biochemistry. It focuses on fundamental research with an open eye to societal applications and trains the next generation of leaders in science and innovation. You will have the opportunity to interact with researchers at IMM and participate in institute-wide activities.

The Faculty of Science is a complete, student-oriented science faculty where research and teaching are closely intertwined. The faculty aims to be an academic community with an international character where staff from different backgrounds combine their talents with the goal of being a leading science faculty in Europe.

Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!
We offer

• Employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,443 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,122 in the fourth year (salary scale P ).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Christian Büll, Assistant Professor at +31 24 361 67 53 or [email protected] . Alternatively, you can contact Ger Pruijn, Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry and Head of Department at +31 24 361 68 47 or [email protected] .

Practical information and applications
You can apply until 31 May 2022, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Christian Büll. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation.
• Your CV.

The first round of interviews will take place on Thursday 23 June. The second round of interviews will take place on Tuesday 5 July. You would preferably begin employment on 1 August 2022.
We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure . It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.

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