PhD Position on Proteomics: The Biology of Protein Lipidation

Faculty: 

Faculty of Science

Department: 

Department of Chemistry

Hours per week: 

36 to 40

Application deadline: 

6 May 2025

Join our multidisciplinary team to explore the dynamic world of protein lipidation in (neuro)inflammation. We are offering two PhD positions focused on uncovering the regulation and biological roles of this crucial posttranslational modification. Using cutting-edge proteomics and chemical biology tools, you will contribute to advancing our understanding of lipidation in health and disease within a collaborative and internationally recognised research environment.

Protein lipidation is the attachment of lipids to proteins to regulate their trafficking, protein-protein interactions, and stability. The posttranslational modification is dynamically regulated by a family of lipidation writers and erasers, modifying over 1500 proteins to regulate many facets of human biology in health and disease. Notably, protein lipidation plays a significant role in (neuro)inflammatory disorders, making its regulatory enzymes promising targets for drug development.

As a PhD candidate, you will use (primary) cells and tissues to study the role and regulation of protein lipidation in (neuro)inflammation. In this project, you will operate at the interface of biology and chemistry. Your contributions will advance the development and application of innovative chemical biology and proteomics methodologies to study the regulation of protein lipidation, with a focus on S-palmitoylation. The goal is to uncover how these modifications are regulated and influence proteins that are crucial in (neuro)inflammation.

You will embark on a challenging, multidisciplinary PhD project within an international research environment that offers a wide spectrum of scientific expertise. Over the course of the PhD, you will grow into an independent scientist and become an expert in protein lipidation.

• PhD position 1 is focused on the biology and the regulation of protein lipidation. You uncover the role of the writers and erasers through molecular biology techniques combined with proteomics mass spectrometry.
• PhD position 2 is focused on the development of mass spectrometry proteomics strategies to study protein lipidation by employing a combination of Top-down, Native, and Bottom-up mass spectrometry proteomics strategies.

You will join a multidisciplinary lab with world-leading expertise and infrastructure in proteomics mass spectrometry, complemented by in-house tissue culture and molecular biology facilities. This integrated environment offers a unique opportunity to investigate the biology of protein lipidation in (neuro)inflammatory disorders.

You are a driven researcher with a background in chemical biology/molecular biology. You meet several or all of the following criteria:

• a Master's degree in (Chemical/molecular) Biology or a related field;
• experience in molecular biology and cloning, and in cell culturing techniques;
• excellent writing and presentation skills in English;
• good teamwork skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a highly multidisciplinary environment;
• experience in proteomics mass-spectrometry (considered a plus, but not essential at the start).

• A position for four years, in an international multidisciplinary lab;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment
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 laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development
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, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities
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, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University
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.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University
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, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes
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. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow
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.

Working at the Faculty of Science
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means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty
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has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we
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work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn
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and discover how you can become part of our community.

You will work in a subgroup focused on protein lipidation within the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry group
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. This group is part of the Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research within the department of Chemistry. The research in the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics groups focusses on the use of mass spectrometry to understand the inner workings of cells. Mass spectrometry enables the characterisation of molecules that are present in cells and allows thereby the identification and characterisation of proteins and other biomolecules that work together and are involved in cellular processes and in disease.

For more information, please contact Marc Baggelaar
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at m.p.baggelaar@uu.nl .

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl .

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home
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 for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your CV and motivation letter via the 'apply now' button. Please indicate in your motivation letter whether you are applying for position 1, position 2, or both.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

The application deadline is 7 May 2025.