The Faculty of Science, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research is looking for a:

Full Professor of biotherapeutics delivery

To strengthen the research in the division of BioTherapeutics we are hiring a full PROFESSOR OF BIOTHERAPEUTICS DELIVERY, who:

• Has a strong and established research line in the delivery of biotherapeutics (such as therapeutic proteins, antigens, oligonucleotides, advanced therapy medicinal products) and a vision complementary to existing research lines of the Division of BioTherapeutics.
• Has a proven ability to attract external research funding from funding agencies and industry.
• Has a well-established international network and research profile with a number of relevant high-quality publications.
• Has the ability to build a strong team with our partners from the Medical Centre to establish a preeminent international position in the field of Pharmacy.
• Is an inspirational academic teacher, supervisor and research leader

The research on biotherapeutics in the Division of BioTherapeutics builds on knowledge of drug delivery combined with translational research into the treatment of autoimmune disorders. The lines of the present principal investigators in our division aim to translate fundamental research into clinical applications.

We focus on advancing innovative (bio)pharmaceutical concepts to intervene in inflammatory and auto-immune-like disorders into a clinical application. We concentrate on identifying druggable immune checkpoints and aim for new ways to selectively manipulate these checkpoints, using biologics such as vaccines and therapeutic proteins (e.g., monoclonal antibodies). To identify new targets in immune-based diseases such as atherosclerosis, we apply systems immunology, immunotherapy and therapeutic vaccines. The ideal candidate should design technologies to administer these biologics using various delivery routes, and aim to target the site of disease and maximize the desired therapeutic effect.

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is a centre of excellence for multidisciplinary research on drug discovery and development. At LACDR, we develop innovative scientific concepts in fundamental and translational research underlying the discovery and optimization of drugs, and personalised medicines. We aim to optimise the route to novel drugs that are both efficacious and safe, and therefore our research focuses on drug and target discovery, bio-therapeutics and systems pharmacology. State-of-the-art expertise and infrastructures ensure that we are strategically positioned in (inter)national collaborations, thus further strengthening the development of novel concepts and their application in a clinical and industry environment.

LACDR has close on-going collaborations with the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR). More information about the LACDR can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/drug-research.

Research at the Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in an international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge 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 fourteen master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and over 4,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where most companies have its focus on drug research. For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at

Terms and conditions

We offer a full-time temporary appointment for a period of 5 years with a view to a permanent contract depending on good performance and funding. Salary range from € 5.441,- to € 7.921,- gross per month (pay scale H2 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 (8.3 %) bonuses, training, 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. Diversity Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. For more information: www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/about-faculty-of-science/diversity

Information

Enquiries can be made to prof. dr. Hubertus Irth, Scientific Director LACDR, h.irth@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl, telephone: +31 71 527 4341 or prof. W. Jiskoot, Professor of Drug delivery technology, w.jiskoot@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl, telephone +31 71 527 4314.

Applications

To apply for this vacancy, please send an email to prof. dr. H. Irth, h.irth@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl.

Please ensure that you attach the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• Curriculum Vitae and list of publications
• Motivational letter