Vacancy Postdoc “Uncovering molecular mechanisms in cellular metabolism”

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious postdoctoral fellow to complete our team on sugar metabolism. Our research on patients with severe genetic metabolic diseases has revealed evidence for novel and unexpected metabolic mechanisms. These include novel (sugar) metabolites, redundant enzymatic pathways and unexplained tissue-specific metabolic abnormalities. We believe that uncovering such mechanisms will open new avenues for treatment of patients. In an ongoing prestigious Vici project, we zoom in on the important sialic acid pathway to uncover these novel regulatory mechanisms in different (iPSC derived) cell models. The overarching aim is to identify concrete treatment strategies via metabolic and genetic interventions.

As postdoc, you will work together with three PhD students with complementary expertise in mass spectrometry, bioinformatics and stem-cell models of muscle and brain. Depending on previous experience, you will contribute to a deeper understanding of the metabolic mechanisms via classical biochemical and genetic techniques, stem cell models, mass spectrometry, and/or bioinformatics. You collaborate with stem cell biologists and other mass spectrometrists to unravel the cell-type specific biology in sugar metabolism. Also, you design novel treatment approaches in stem cell models.

Place of work

The project is embedded in the Radboudumc at the interface of the departments of Neurology, Genetics, and the Translational Metabolic Laboratory. Research in these departments is focused on Neurogenetic diseases, aiming for improved diagnosis, better understanding of underlying pathophysiology and development of novel therapeutic strategies.

The current position is in the Lefeber group “Glycosylation Disorders in Neurology” and will physically be located in the Translational Metabolic Laboratory and Human Genetics. The combined infrastructure is highly innovative including the Radboudumc Technology Center for mass spectrometry (proteomics, glycomics and (sugar)metabolomics) with a wide range of analytical equipment and mass spectrometers, the department of Human Genetics with all modern genomics tools, including next-generation sequencing, CRISPS/Cas9 genome editing, and the Radboudumc stem cell facility.

The research is embedded in the Donders Institute for Medical Neuroscience which harbors a range of top researchers in the field of neurogenetic disease, and the Research Theme Metabolic Disorders.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health. 

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.

Profile

We are looking for a postdoc with excellent skills in communication and writing. You have ambition and enthusiasm to succeed in academic research and are highly motivated and flexible to work in a translational environment. Furthermore, you are intrigued by metabolism. Lastly, you have a completed PhD-project and preferably 1-2 years experience as a postdoc.

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.493 and €5.504 (scale 10) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• 172 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. (As of 1 January 2025, you will receive 176 vacation hours).

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.35 per day.

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 28 October 2024. We will then contact you shortly.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then send an email to Prof. dr. Dirk Lefeber, full professor. Use the Apply button to submit your application.