Vacancy Technician 'Antiviral compounds in vector mosquitoes'

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated research technician to join our team for this exciting project Antiviral compounds in vector mosquitoes. Will you join our ambitious team? 

Several important human pathogenic viruses such as Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya virus depend on mosquito vectors for their transmission. This makes mosquitoes a prime target to develop intervention strategies to interfere with virus transmission and disease. In fact, the large-scale use of insecticides is still a main strategy to fight mosquito-borne diseases. However, mosquitoes may acquire insecticide resistance, limiting their long-term effectiveness, and insecticides may cause substantial collateral damage to beneficial, pollinating insects, thereby harming natural ecosystems.

In this project, we aim to characterize small-molecule compounds that inhibit virus replication in mosquitoes as a putative intervention strategies against these devastating diseases. Hit compounds from a previously performed high-throughput screen will be further characterized in adult mosquitoes and cell culture. We will use the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, the most important tropical mosquito responsible for virus transmission as a model. These experiments will be performed in our dedicated biosafety level-3 mosquito laboratory at Radboudumc. This project is a collaboration with the biotech company TropIQ Health Science.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Perform research to identify and characterize antiviral compounds.
• Test antiviral activity in mosquitoes.
• Contribute to general maintenance of mosquito colonies.
• Analyze research results. 
• Report results in English both orally and in writing. 

Place of work

You will work in the Laboratory of Experimental Virology in the department of Medical Microbiology under supervision of Prof. Ronald van Rij and Dr. Pascal Miesen, complementing our research program on virus-host interactions, innate immunity, and RNA biology in insects. Our group is dedicated to provide a social, dynamic, and stimulating work environment.

This project is part of an ongoing collaboration with TropIQ Health Sciences, a biotech company located at the Noviotech campus in Nijmegen. Read more about the Van Rij lab.

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

You are able to work both independently as well as efficiently collaborate with colleagues. You are well-organized and precise: plans and executes experiments meticulously.

Furthermore you have: 

• BSc degree in Applied Laboratory Sciences (HLO) or equivalent. Students who hold a recent MSc degree in Molecular Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or a related program are also invited to apply.
• Hands-on experience working in a laboratory at biosafety level 2 or higher.
• Hands-on experience working with viruses is preferred, but not required.
• Willingness to work with mosquitoes in a biosafety level 3 environment.
• Good communication skills and command of spoken and written English.

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 € 2.975 and € 4.214 (scale 7M) 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 3 October 2024. We will then contact you shortly. The job interviews takes place on 9 October 2024. We would appreciate it if you would take this into account.

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 call, send a message or email to dr. Pascal Miesen MSc, Assistant Professor or to Prof.dr. Ronald van Rij, Full Professor. Use the Apply button to submit your application.