Department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam

VU University Amsterdam
VU University Amsterdam is one of the leading institutions for higher education in Europe. It is part of international science networks and collaborates with many major universities throughout the world. Its faculty of Sciences (www.few.vu.nl) consists of four departments: Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science and Mathematics.

The department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPS, www.chem.vu.nl) consists of 150 people, including researchers, lecturers, full- and part-time professors and offers four bachelor and four master programmes to 900 students. In the national Sectorplan Physics and Chemistry 2011-2016), three areas of the department of CPS, namely Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Pharmaceutical Sciences/Synthesis in Life Science Chemistry have been recognized as national centres of excellence. In the national Chemistry Research Assessment 2010, five out of six research programmes of the department scored very good to excellent. The department plays a leading role in AIMMS, the recently founded Amsterdam Institute for Molecules Medicines and Systems and in ACMM, the Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling. The department has a very strong position in Analytical Chemistry and participates in the recently established Dutch Top-Institute TI-Coast. It has currently vacancies for two full professors in Analytical Chemistry.

Chair A: Biomolecular Analysis/Analytical Chemistry
This chair will develop and apply new (high throughput/high content) analytical approaches to analyse small molecule drugs and metabolites, adducts (e.g. to proteins) and biopharmaceuticals (e.g. proteins, antibodies). The chair will focus on the detection of a broad range of molecular structures in different biological matrices, using e.g. LC-MS based (hyphenated) bioanalytical techniques.
The candidate for this chair is a broad analytical chemist and will bridge strong experimental disciplines in Molecular Pharmaceutical Sciences and Life Science Chemistry with relevant analytical technologies. The research of this chair will be one of the spearheads within AIMMS and will strengthen the position of AIMMS in the Life Science/H2LS arena at the VU Campus. At the same time the state-of-the art analytical expertise of this chair will provide an excellent platform to also exploit opportunities in the new sustainable chemistry area of the faculty of Science and to position Analytical Chemistry nationally (e.g. in the Top-Institute TI-Coast) and internationally. This chair became vacant due to a deanship of the faculty of Sciences of the previous chair-holder.

The chair will be mainly involved in the educational programmes in the area of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Chair B: Analytics of Biomolecular Interactions
This newly established chair will develop and apply new analytical approaches to study biomolecular interactions, which play an essential role in various aspects of drug discovery, development and safety, but also in other Life Science areas. The chair will bridge various Life Sciences groups in the faculty of Sciences and on the VU Campus with relevant analytical technologies and will actively collaborate in the development of (functional) biochemical screening assays and the measurement of biomarkers for understanding of biological systems and for translational research, using innovative analytical techniques.

The chair will focus on the (high throughput/high content) detection of biomolecular interactions with mass spectrometry, molecular spectroscopy and compatible biochemical assays. These activities will provide a sound basis to become one of the spearheads within AIMMS and strengthen the position of AIMMS in the Life Science/H2LS arena at the VU Campus.

The chair is created in the context of the national Sectorplan Physics and Chemistry with substantial related investments and should have an eminent position in Analytical Chemistry nationally (e.g. in the Top-Institute TI-Coast) and internationally.

The chair will be involved in the educational programmes of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. In particular, the new chair will be one of the leading chemistry representatives in the MSc. Chemistry Program on Analytical Sciences.
Tasks of both chairs

Both chair holders are playing a leading role in research and in education in their respective areas. This includes innovative and top-research, teaching in undergraduate and graduate programmes, supervision of PhD students, as well as administration and management in the related areas. Planning and managing of research projects, as well as collaboration with industrial, academic and governmental partners are other important parts of the tasks.

Requirements
The applicants are expected to have a strong background in Analytical Sciences and to prove their potency and/or ability to attract external grants. The research, PhD students and post-docs are financed primarily by external grants. Experience gained from research within industry or the public sector is meritorious. The applicants should be able to demonstrate good capabilities of leadership and cooperation. Innovation abilities are essential as well.

The candidates should have good communication skills and are expected to acquire knowledge of the Dutch language after two years and should be fluent in English.
Further particulars You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl

Salary
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and depending on experience and position. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl.

Information
For additional information, please contact the chairs of the respective nomination committees, i.e.: for Chair A: Prof. Dr. N.P.E. Vermeulen. Tel.: +31 (0)20 59 87590, email: n.p.e.vermeulen@vu.nl and for Chair B: Prof. Dr. M.J. Smit. Tel.: +31 (0)20 59 87572. email: mj.smit@few.vu.nl.

Applications
Applicants are requested to write a letter in which they describe their abilities and motivation, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and two references. Written applications should be sent before January 15 2012 to: VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Sciences, Department of CPS, attn. K. de Boer, De Boelelaan 1083, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

It is also possible to apply by e-mail to K. de Boer, manager operations of the Department of CPS: k.de.boer@vu.nl. Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top of your letter and on the envelope.

Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with