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The Faculty of Science / the Institute for Biology is looking for a:

Postdoctoral Researcher, Antibiotic Discovery and Development

Vacancy number: 15992

Key responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher to be hired will lead an antibiotic discovery work package that is part of a recently awarded NWO project. This will include working together with computational chemists to design small molecule inhibitors of an enzyme that is essential to Gram-negative bacteria. The postdoc will be tasked with synthetizing the hits identified using in silico methods and evaluating their antibacterial activity using in vitro antibacterial assays.

Selection Criteria 

• Experience in synthetic organic chemistry including solid phase peptide synthesis
• Experience in relevant technical methods (NMR, LC/MS, RP-HPLC)
• Experience in antibacterial assays         

Research at our faculty

The Faculty of Science 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 organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2300  staff and almost 5000  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.

For more information, see  www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science  and  https://workingat.leiden.edu/

The Institute for Biology
The research within the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL) aims to work on the science base of biodiversity and health, which is reflected in our leading principle Harnessing Biodiversity for Health. We perform innovative curiosity-driven research to answer fundamental questions, and solutions-driven research to help solving major societal challenges. The latter include protecting nature’s biodiversity, creating sustainable biotechnology and agriculture and increasing good health. Our research focuses on four Research Themes: Bioactive Molecules, Host-Microbe Interactions, Development & Disease and Evolution & Biodiversity. Located in a thriving scientific environment with our Faculty of Sciences,  Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Leiden Bioscience Park, IBL offers an exciting, internationally oriented and inclusive place to work and study.   

Terms and conditions  

We offer a full-time, fixed-term post from 01-11-2025 until 31-07-2029. Salary range from € 3.546,- to € 5.538,- gross per month (pay scale 10) depending on relevant experience and 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 and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. 

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Information 
Enquiries can be made to Prof. dr. N.I. (Nathaniel) Martin (n.i.martin@biology.leidenuniv.nl). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact Christina Kamerman (HR@biology.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications 
Applications for this vacancy can be submitted via the blue button of our online system. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for two professional contacts able to serve as references

Only applications received before 03-10-2025 can be considered.

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