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Introduction
The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) AUREUS consortium will train 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in an intersectorial, international and interdisciplinary training program, in which 11 European academic institutions and 5 commercial partners will closely collaborate. It is aimed at unravelling and harnessing the role of bacterial glycopolymers in host-pathogen interactions to open up new therapeutic avenues for intervention to face the global threat presented by multidrug-resistant bacteria. To this end, the AUREUS consortium will investigate Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acids at the molecular level taking a multidisciplinary approach, combining state-of-the-art chemistry, biology and immunology.

AUREUS is an innovative, doctoral training network that aims at the education of a new generation of glycoscientists able to provide key findings for the design of new carbohydrate-based vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention of SA infections.

The aim of AUREUS is to explore and exploit S. aureus wall teichoic acids and establish their role, mode of action and interactions with the host immune system at the molecular level. Molecular tools will be developed to probe these interactions as a function of the large structural diversity encountered in these glycopolymers and WTA biosynthesis will be studied with the aim to interfere with the bacterial synthesis of these crucial protective cell wall polymers.

The Faculty of Science Leiden and Leiden Institute of Chemistry are looking for a PhD candidate for the Automated synthesis of Well-defined Bacterial Wall Teichoic Acids to unravel host-pathogen interactions

This subproject of the AUREUS consortium will focus on the development of effective synthesis methodology for the automated solid phase synthesis of well-defined WTA oligomers with a predetermined substitution pattern. This will enable the determination of WTA structure-activity relationships for interactions with antibodies and immune receptors. Finally, this subproject will and develop synthetic inhibitors of WTA biosynthesis enzymes.

Work and profile

We are looking for a candidate with a strong synthetic organic chemistry background with a keen interest in (chemical) biology/immunology, who is a real team player and open to collaborating in an intersectoral, international and interdisciplinary manner.

• M.Sc. degree in Chemistry
• Prior experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Affinity with structural biology
• High motivation for interdisciplenary research.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• A strong teamwork mentality
• Meeting the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate eligibility criteria is required. In particular, at the time of appointment applicants must be doctoral candidates, i.e., not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Additionally, they must not have resided in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment.

The selected PhD candidate will experience an international and interdisciplinary training and participate in a series of scientific, technical and complementary skills training events. The position will allow the student to participate in an exciting multidisciplinary research and training programme, enhancing their career perspectives in both the academic and industrial sector.

Work and profile

We are looking for a candidate with a strong synthetic organic chemistry background with a keen interest in (chemical) biology/immunology, who is a real team player and open to collaborating in an intersectoral, international and interdisciplinary manner.

• M.Sc. degree in Chemistry
• Prior experience in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Affinity with structural biology
• High motivation for interdisciplenary research.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• A strong teamwork mentality
• Meeting the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate eligibility criteria is required. In particular, at the time of appointment applicants must be doctoral candidates, i.e., not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Additionally, they must not have resided in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment.

The selected PhD candidate will experience an international and interdisciplinary training and participate in a series of scientific, technical and complementary skills training events. The position will allow the student to participate in an exciting multidisciplinary research and training programme, enhancing their career perspectives in both the academic and industrial sector.

Description of organisation and terms of employment
The position will be part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) AUREUS consortium that brings together 11 academic institutions and 5 commercial partners in Europe. The PhD candidate will be employed by Leiden University and will involve one or more internships in the laboratories of the AUREUS partners.

The position starts preferably by 01-09-2025. We offer a position for 12 months and upon satisfactory performance to be extended for three more years. You will be appointed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from €2.901,- to € 3.707,- gross per month, depending on experience (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). Mobility and family allowances as applicable according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD fellowship scheme for early career researchers.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website.

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University strives to become an inclusive community that enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. We welcome diversity in experiences and perspectives as they enrich and strengthen our teaching and research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Faculty
The Faculty of Science at Leiden University 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 organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelors’ and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 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.

University
Leiden University is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Thanks to its committed and inspired employees, the university enjoys a leading role in academic research and education. Leiden also scores very well every year in prominent rankings. This means that, to maintain our position, the bar is set very high. Regardless of the work you do at our university, you are always encouraged to broaden your horizons, develop your talents and reach your full potential. Will you become our newest colleague?

Do you have questions about this position? Please contact Prof.dr. Jeroen Codée, jcodee@chem.leidenuniv.nl.
For more information about the recruitment process please contact Jessica van Krimpen, j.e.van.krimpen@lic.leidenuniv.nl.

You can find more information about the faculty of Science at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/about-faculty-of-science. For more information about working at Leiden university please visit https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

Are you enthusiastic about this vacancy? We are looking forward to get to know you. You can apply until 11-05-2025 using the application button below. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents:

• Applications are written in English and include a Cover Letter indicating the motivation for the project
• Curriculum vitae
• Copies of transcripts of degrees obtained
• Contact details of two references

Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Educational record
• Scientific quality of the applicant’s CV
• Expected individual impact and benefit to the fellow and to the project
• Previous experience in the subject of AUREUS research programme

The candidates will be evaluated on the basis of the received documents and selected candidates will be invited for an online interview that will take place in May-June 2025.

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