Introduction
The Faculty of Science Leiden and Department of Chemical Biology and Immunology of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry are looking for a PhD-candidate to study the Chemical Biology of Checkpoint Receptors.
A healthy immune system clears microbes without damaging the body. For this purpose, immune cells are regulated by inhibitory receptors that serve as a break on activation. It is possible to intervene with these receptors: blocking these receptors (thus removing the breaks) led to clinical improvement in the treatment of e.g. melanoma. Vise versa, agonists for inhibitory receptors have potential to suppress excessive inflammation, e.g. in autoimmunity.
The exact mechanism of how inhibitory receptors interact with their ligands is not understood. Especially for soluble ligands that are not expressed on cells, it is unknown what receptor: ligand dynamics lead to optimal receptor activation. In this project, funded by the ZonMW Open Competition, immunologists team up with chemists to visualize and follow individual ligand: receptor interactions on immune cells using single-molecule microscopy. This way, we aim to unveil the fundamental requirements of ligands such that we make chemical designer ligands for inhibitory receptors.
The project, which is shared between the CBI-department and the Inhibitory Receptor Laboratory of UMC-Utrecht aims to understand how the immune inhibitory receptor binding leads to the deactivation of the immune response using a super-resolution based approach to quantify these interactions.
We are therefore looking for highly motivated candidates that are interested in addressing fundamental questions in receptor-ligand biology. The candidate will be synthesizing detectable peptide-based ligands for these receptors, imaging and quantifying their binding and figuring out how these ligands affect signalling. The project is highly multi-disciplinary and involves solid phase peptide synthesis, cell biology.
Work and profile
We are looking for, someone with:
- a master of science or equivalent degree in the field of chemical biology, chemistry, or related discipline in which chemistry and biology have been combined.
- Hand on practical experience with cell culture and peptide synthesis (or other chemical synthesis)
- High intrinsic motivation for fundamental research
- Good communication skills. The project will be a close collaboration with the Inhibitory Receptor lab meaning that the project will involve working closely with people in both labs. Good informal and formal research communication are therefore essential for a successful project conclusion.
In addition, having experience working with immune cells, super-resolution imaging methods, and cell based assays are preferred.
Description of organisation and terms of employment
The CBI department is a highly inter-disciplinary and inter-collaborative department, where people from different scientific backgrounds work closely together. We strongly value having a highly diverse team and work hard to create an environment where people of all ilk can flourish. We form part of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, one of the foremost chemistry institutes in the Netherlands, where over 300 researchers study different aspects of chemistry. In this creative and vibrant research environment, the role of chemistry as it relates to biology and/or energy and sustainability are studied.
The position starts by the 1st of July, but other start dates are negotiable. We offer a position for 12 months and upon satisfactory performance to be extended for three more years. You will be appointed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from €2.901,- to € 3.707,- gross per month, depending on experience (pay scale P 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. 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 programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website.
Faculty
The Faculty of Science at Leiden University 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 committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity 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 of Science 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 bachelors’ and twelve master’s programmes. 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.
University
Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.
Thanks to its committed and inspired employees, the university enjoys a leading role in academic research and education. Leiden also scores very well every year in prominent rankings.
This means that, to maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential. Will you become our newest colleague?
Do you have questions about this position?
Please contact Prof. Dr. Sander I. van Kasteren, Professor of Molecular Immunology, [email protected]
For more information about the recruitment process please contact Ms. Jessica van Krimpen, [email protected].
You can find more information about the faculty of Science at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/about-faculty-of-science. For more information about working at Leiden university please visit ttps://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.
Are you enthusiastic about this vacancy?
We are looking forward to get to know you. You can apply until 29 May 2025 using the application button below.
