2 PhD Research positions in (bio)analytical chemistry, drug metabolism and proteomics

The Department of Analytical Biochemistry and the Mass Spectrometry Core Facility (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics) currently have two vacancies for PhD students (employment contract).

Topic of research

Electrochemistry/mass spectrometry in (bio)analytical chemistry, drug metabolism and proteomics

These PhD positions are embedded within a collaborative project between the University of Groningen (Prof. Bischoff, Dr. Permentier) and the University of Twente in Enschede (Prof. van den Berg).

PhD project A will focus on imitating the oxidative metabolism in the body (Cytochrome P450-mediated) through electrochemical reactions and on using electrochemistry for the synthesis of drug metabolites. PhD project B will focus on modifying proteins and peptides electrochemically with the goal of performing specific cleavage and tagging reactions. Both projects will be linked to the work at the University of Twente, where a third PhD student will focus on miniaturising electrochemical cells to the “lab-on-a-chip” format.

The project involves collaboration with different industrial partners and is funded by the Dutch Technology Foundation (NWO-STW).

The successful candidates will work in a team of researchers (PhD students, postdoctoral researchers) with expertise in Mass Spectrometry, Drug Metabolism and Protein and Peptide Analysis.

Requirements:

PhD A: You are expected to have an excellent academic record (list of examination marks from your university study) and a strong background in organic (electro)chemistry.

PhD B: You are expected to have an excellent academic record (list of examination marks from your university study) and a strong background in protein and peptide analysis, notably by LC-MS.

Be curious, creative and ambitious.

You should be able to write scientific articles and reports (to be proven by your master’s thesis or another comparable report) and be fluent in English.

You should be able to work in a multidisciplinary environment

Conditions of employment

The University of Groningen offers a salary of minimal € 2,042 gross a month in the first year to maximal € 2,612 a month in the final year based on a full-time position. It is a temporary assignment for a period of 4 years. You will start on a temporary position for 1.5 years with the perspective of prolongation for another 2.5 years. After the first year, there will be an evaluation in view of a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years. You and your supervisors will also agree on a plan for additional education and supervision to support completion of your thesis. This plan will also define your teaching activities.

How to apply

Applications for the position should include:

·         Curriculum vitae (name, address, degree(s), date, etc.)

·         Letter of motivation

·         Name, e-mail address and telephone number of two professional references

Information

Additional information can be obtained from prof. Rainer Bischoff; E-mail: r.p.h.bischoff@rug.nl . Phone: +31-50-363-3338 (3336 secr.); Fax: +31-50-363-7582. Further information about the research group can be found at www.biomac.nl.

Note: only digital applications received via the university’s website/job opportunities will be taken into account