Key responsibilities
Photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) is a new form of phototherapy against cancer. In the frame of an EU-funded translational programme dedicated to developing PACT compounds for eye cancer treatment towards the clinics, the group of Prof. Ewa Snaar-Jagalska is looking for a biologist with proven experience in zebrafish/mice tumor models and interest in patient-derived xenografts, to investigate the efficacy and safety of ruthenium-based photoactivated compounds in vivo against uveal melanoma and eye-related tumors. Do you have interest in photomedicine? Do you want your research to make an impact? Just apply and join the PACT4EYE project! Experience with photodynamic therapy, patient-derived xenografts, zebrafish, microscopy and/or uveal melanoma research, are a plus.

The position entails engraftment of the patient derived uveal melanoma cancer cell into zebrafish and testing the efficacy of ruthenium-based photoactivated chemotherapy treatment based on the microscopic examination. You will be integrated in the ( https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/staffmembers/ewa-snaar-jagalska#tab-1). You will work in collaboration with the other members of the PACT4EYE consortium and actively participate in the consortium meetings.

Selection Criteria

• You will have a PhD in biology or chemical biology, and proven experience with in vivo mice or zebrafish experiment.
• If possible, you will be familiar with photomedicine, uveal melanoma, and/or patient derived xenografts.
• You will insert in a collaborative project involving a company and two medical centers with expertise in eye cancer treatment.
• Good English skills and a will to work in a multidisciplinary topic are a must.

Terms and conditions

The position starts by 1 January 2024, preferably. We offer a position for 12 months and upon satisfactory performance to be extended for 1 more year. Salary range from € 3.877,- to € 5.099,- gross per month (pay scale 10) 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.

Universiteit Leiden

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 {see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/wiskunde-en-natuurwetenschappen} staff and almost 5000 {see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/wiskunde-en-natuurwetenschappen} 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 http://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.