Analytical chemist – Westerdijk Institute – Utrecht: Projects in the Fungal Natural Products group focuses on the discovery of fungal secondary metabolites, especially those that exhibit antimicrobial activities. We are also interested in understanding the biosynthetic pathways of these compounds and how such pathways evolve. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that relies on methods in microbiology, bioinformatics, molecular and cellular biology, synthetic biology and chemistry.
What you will be doing: You will be involved in projects dealing with the discovery of new antimicrobials. You will culture fungal strains to extract secondary metabolites and purify the antimicrobial compounds for elucidation of their chemical structure. You will perform bioassays to characterize antimicrobial activities, including minimum inhibitory concentrations. You will routinely use HPLCs and run NMR analyses. You will communicate in English with your supervisor and other group members, and you will present progress updates in group meetings.
What you will be contributing: You hold a MBO/HBO degree in organic chemistry and you will bring in the group your expertise in analytical chemistry, especially in using and maintaining HPLC and MS systems, as well as preparing and running NMR analyses. Experience with these equipment is strictly required. Your teamwork attitude will facilitate the projects of other members. Any experience in microbiology is recommended.
What we are offering
An attractive position for 4 days a week in a highly motivated and entusiastic research group. The interdisciplinarity of the Fungal Natural Products group provides a unique learning environment and it will be possible to acquire new knowledge in biology and genomics through discussion and involvement in the projects of other members. The work environment in the group is highly collaborative and provides a natural attitude for team working. Access to in-company training is encouraged to develop soft skills.
For more information
Please contact: dr. Jerome Collemare, group leader, j.collemare@wi.knaw.nl
About the Westerdijk Institute
The Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and is located at Utrecht Science Park. The institute studies fungal biodiversity in the widest sense focussing on the taxonomy and evolution of fungi as well as on functional aspects of fungal biology and ecology, increasingly making use of molecular and genomics approaches. The institute consists of six research groups, the Databases & Software Development group and the Biobanks CBS & NCCB Collections group.
The Westerdijk Institute maintains a world-renowned microbial biologicial resource centre of living filamentous fungi, yeasts and bacteria, placing the institute at the top of mycological research institutes. The institute is a centre of expertise on mycology, advising on mycological problems of a scientific, health-related or industrial nature.
Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is €2,471.00 and the maximum salary is €3,336.00 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 7 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.
The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).
Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.
Location: Utrecht
Max hours per week: 32.00
Max salary: €3,336.00
Duration of agreement: 1 year
Apply until: 02/15/2023