PHD CANDIDATE BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Are you passionate about bioanalytical chemistry and are you looking for a PhD position? Would you like to work in a great team on a project establishing structure-function-relationships of glycoproteins, while using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry techniques and advanced protein separation? Please apply at VU Amsterdam.

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 1 

Neurodegenerative diseases are on the rise in our aging society, but effective treatments are missing, and the disease pathway is not fully understood. Several studies have connected the altered protein glycosylation to the progression of neurodegeneration, however, a causal relationship between the pathological disease progression and abnormal protein glycosylation still needs to be established. This project aims to elucidate the role of glycoproteins that interfere with disease-causing protein aggregation in the brain by establishing a structure-function relationship between protein glycosylation and glycoprotein activity.

In this PhD project, you will isolate glycoproteins that directly interfere with peptide aggregation from relevant patient material by combining different approaches such as ion exchange chromatography, size exclusion chromatography or immunoprecipitation. After isolation, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry (MS) techniques will be used to unambiguously characterize aberrant protein glycosylation for example on intact protein level or after enzymatic treatment. To gain insights not only into changes in glycosylation but also into protein structure and stability, our unique MS setups, including ion mobility mass spectrometry and IR and UV ion spectroscopy, are at your disposal.
To connect structural changes to protein function, you will work together with other team members of the MS-Laserlab to study the influence of selected glycoproteins on protein aggregation using multidimensional mass spectrometry. The aim is to understand how differently glycosylated proteoforms promote or inhibit aggregation to reveal unknown factors in this pathological process, which will create possibilities for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

The PhD position is embedded in the division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, where you will be supervised by dr. Melissa Bärenfänger and prof. dr. Anouk Rijs. Together with the team, you will present the results at national and international scientific conferences, and in relevant journals.

Your duties

• Developing new strategies for glycoprotein isolation and the structural and functional analysis of glycoproteins;
• Take part in maintaining and developing MS and LC instrumentation;
• Contribute to teaching and supervising activities (including supervision of MSc and BSc students) at the division of BioAnalytical Chemistry;
• Collaborate within the team and with other (inter)national researchers;
• Communicating results to stakeholders from other disciplines such as clinicians or biomedical researchers and supporting collaborative efforts;
• Publish scientific articles and present research results at (inter)national conferences and journals;
• Conduct research within the scope of the project leading to a dissertation and a PhD degree towards the end of the 4-year project.

• MSc or equivalent degree in (Analytical) Chemistry or related (Bio)-Analytical Sciences;
• Highly motivated candidate committed to research and showing a strong interest in mass spectrometry, glycoprotein chemistry, and biomolecular interactions; 
• Practical experience in the field of protein chemistry and with analytical techniques such as HPLC separation, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS or ion mobility-MS and tools for MS data interpretation (Bruker DataAnalysis, Waters MassLynx, Matlab) is a plus;
• Strong affinity with lab work and motivation for scientific research;
• Good oral and written communication skills in the English language and comfortable working both independently and in a team.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on full-time employment. The job profile: PhD candidate is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave
• child daycare facilities available on campus

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to more than 11,000 students.

About the division of BioAnalytical Chemistry
The Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry (BAC ) is part of the Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Faculty of Science, and of AIMMS. The research at BAC focuses on the development and application of novel, multidimensional analytics for the molecular understanding of biological and chemical processes. Within the MS-Laserlab-Analytics of biomolecular interactions team , we use and advance ion mobility mass spectrometry combined and/or integrated with molecular spectroscopy and highly selective separation techniques, to understand complex biological processes via characterization of molecular structure, intra/inter-molecular interactions and structural changes. We are particularly interested in protein interactions and the role of glycosylation in neurodegenerative diseases.

BAC also trains and educates students and young professionals at the highest international level in the area of analytical chemistry. PhD, MSc and BSc students actively and intensively participate in our research programs. We provide analytical courses in several BSc and MSc programs, such as Chemistry (in a joint degree with UvA), Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Discovery and Safety, and Medical Natural Sciences. For research and teaching, BAC strongly collaborates with the analytical-chemistry group of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in the Center for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA ).

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:
Name: dr. Melissa Bärenfänger
Position:  Assistant Professor
E-mail:  [email protected]

Relocation support
If you have any questions regarding moving to Amsterdam, and working at VU Amsterdam, you may contact:
Name: Sara Veldhorst
Position: Relocation Advisor
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone:  +31 (20) 59 86212

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