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The Faculty of Science, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is looking for a
Postdoctoral Researcher: Centrifugal microfluidics for personalized health and metabolomics (1.0 fte)

Job description
The Metabolomics and Analytics Center (MAC) seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Researcher for metabolomics research into personalized health. You will develop and validate a centrifugal-based microfluidic chip and platform for rapid sample preparation of blood, with downstream coupling to various analytical methods including Raman spectroscopy, LC-MS, acoustic injection MS (Sciex ECHO), and laser desorption MS. The core of this research will be to establish a centrifugal microfluidic platform from scratch, building up various sample preparation modules such as sample aliquoting, blood filtering, plasma separation, and solid phase extraction. The device and platform you develop will be applied on-site in the field for both animal and human health diagnostics, so the sample preparation must be robust, fast, and cheap. The microdevice must also be capable of stabilizing and storing samples for transfer to a central laboratory for in-depth analysis. You will be part of larger public-private projects and will work together with other researchers at Leiden and various collaborators (analytical chemists, clinicians, public health, data analysis, computational scientists). You can build on already existing methods and encouraging results and work with researchers provide tailor-made solutions in the animal health and human exposure fields.

Key responsibilities
You will focus on 1) setting up a centrifugal microfluidic testing system, including centrifuge motor and computer control, and 2) designing and fabricating microfluidic chips for blood sample preparation.
You may work with PhD or Master students enrolled at Leiden University, if their skills and interests align with the project.

Selection criteria

• PhD in analytical chemistry, microfluidics, chemical engineering, robotics, Biomedical Engineering or similar field,
• Experience in microchip design and fabrication
• Experience in centrifugal microfluidic platforms
• Interest in the field of metabolomics, programming, and mass spectrometry is desired.
• Good to excellent proficiency in English is required.

 
Our organization
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. The LACDR is an international leading drug research institute. The Metabolomics & Analytics Centre (MAC) has been a pioneer in Metabolomics since early 2000, and combines advanced metabolomics technologies, innovative sample preparation and robotics, and computational and FAIR digital twinning expertise’s. MAC is involved in many academic and industrial collaborations.

Terms and conditions
We offer a full-time position for initially one year. After positive evaluation of the progress of the research, personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment can be extended further for one or three years. The salary ranges, depending on qualifications and experience, from € 3.345,- to € 5.278,- gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), plus an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development.

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to Prof. dr. Thomas Hankemeier (hankemeier@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact Mrs. Ina Hazejager, (s.a.hazejager@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl)

Instructions for applications
To apply for this vacancy, please submit your application online via the blue button below. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• Motivation letter;
• Full curriculum vitae;

Only applications received before 15 January 2025 can be considered.

Acquisition following this advertisement is not appreciated.

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