Are you fascinated by biomedical research, more specifically functional dynamics of the epigenome and the use of innovative technologies to engineer and simulate complex systems behaviour? Are you equally passionate about research and teaching in this area? We are looking for an assistant professor (universitair docent, UD) to strengthen our team.

You will be embedded in the Synthetic, Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization (SSB-NOG) ‘Functional Epigenome Dynamics’ group (led by Prof. dr. Pernette J. Verschure), which is part of the Cell & Systems Biology cluster of the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) in the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The group is connected to the Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, at the Amsterdam UMC, University Medical Centers.

Research in our group aims to understand functional dynamics and cell-cell variability of epigenetic gene regulation and its role in the onset of pathological deregulation and progression of disease. We use innovative technologies to modulate the epigenome and perform quantitative, highly sensitive advanced microscopy measurements in individual cells combined with stochastic computer models, machine learning and bioinformatics. An important focus is the role of epigenetic regulation of hormone-sensitive breast cancer and responsiveness to treatment.

What are you going to do?

• Teach (and development of education) in BSc and MSc programs of the Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Bèta-gamma, Double degree in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Forensic sciences programs in the Faculty of Science.
• Supervise BSc and MSc students for individual assignments (including research internships, literature reviews, etc.).
• Do fundamental biomedical research within the context of our research theme, resulting in scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Be active in attracting of external funding.
• Contribute to collaborations with other institutes and/or companies, including biomedical partner institutes in Amsterdam (NKI, Sanquin, Amsterdam UMC).

• A PhD in life sciences.
• Expertise in the field of gene regulation, epigenetics, wet and dry lab approaches reflected by (among others) your publication record.
• Convincing affinity with computer modelling, bioinformatics, complex data analysis, machine learning and being able to combine wet and dry-lab skills.
• Enthusiasm for setting up innovative techniques and methods.
• Enthusiasm for, and dedication to, teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and in developing and organising education.
• Experience with supervising students for internship and thesis research.
• Fluency and excellent communication in English, both written and spoken (level C1); non-native Dutch speakers must be willing to obtain A2 level proficiency in the Dutch language. SILS expect its staff to acquire this sufficient fluency in the Dutch language within three years of the start of the employment contract.
• Willingness to contribute to attracting external funding.
• Willingness to foster collaborations with other academic institutes and/or industry.
• Affinity with responsible innovation and outreach activities.
• Responsible personality, who likes to support work of our group as a whole.

Our ideal candidate has:

• at least four years of research experience in the field of gene regulation/epigenetics, synthetic, systems biology approaches;
• at least two years of postdoc experience, either nationally or internationally;
• a prior funding record appropriate for their career stage.

Within the Faculty of Science, newly appointed assistant professors follow a didactic training trajectory, which upon completion results in a qualification for academic teaching, (basiskwalificatie onderwijs-BKO), within two years.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

We offer an employment contract for 38 hours a week, for 18 months preferably starting on 1 April 2022 during which you should show your competence in science and teaching. After a positive assessment of your performance this will be converted into a permanent contract.

Your salary, depending on your relevant work experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between €3.807 to €5.922 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

Read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? 

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science – Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is one of the Faculty of Science’s largest institutes. Its approximately 240 scientists and staff members work in 16 research groups that perform excellent research centered on four themes: Neurosciences, Cell & Systems Biology, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.