At Utrecht University, we have built a specialized team focusing on the discovery of previously unidentified antigens for immunotherapies through mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and immunopeptidomics. We now seek a highly motivated and experienced Postdoctoral Researcher to join our multidisciplinary research team.
As a Postdoctoral Researcher in the group of dr Marino, you will play a central role in advancing the group's research through the development and application of state-of-the-art immunopeptidomics/proteomics workflows for antigen identification, quantification, and validation. Your work will directly contribute to translational and precision medicine initiatives, with a particular focus on the discovery of clinically relevant targets for cancer immunotherapy.
In this role, you will support the team by driving mass spectrometry-based method development and contributing your expertise to a range of proteogenomics and immunology-related projects. Beyond providing technical leadership, you will proactively introduce innovative ideas, establish new research directions, and spearhead initiatives that strengthen the group's scientific capabilities.
You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact by developing novel workflows that enable the identification, accurate quantification of antigens and associated mechanisms of T-cell recognition. These discoveries will support the development of next-generation vaccine-based therapies, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for patients with cancer.
Finally, you will be involved in many different multicentered and multidisciplinary collaborations, with both industry as well as academia and medical institutes. This will increase your exposure and expand your own professional network supporting your future scientific career.
Key Responsibilities
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Design and execute mass spectrometry–based workflows for the identification and quantitation of disease-associated antigens from clinical specimens;
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Develop, optimize, and apply DIA- and PRM-based proteomics methods;
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Perform quantitative data analysis, normalization, quality control, and statistical interpretation of proteomics datasets;
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Contribute to biomarker and antigen validation studies across diverse clinical cohorts;
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Collaborate closely with clinicians, computational biologists, and translational researchers;
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Support method development, data interpretation, manuscript preparation, and grant writing.
Required qualifications and experience
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PhD in Proteomics, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field;
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Proven hands-on experience with mass spectrometry–based proteomics and/or immunopeptodomics in clinical or translational research settings;
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Demonstrated expertise in:
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Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA),
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Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM),
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Quantitative proteomics workflows,
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Data normalization and quality control strategies,
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Strong experience in processing and interpreting complex MS datasets;
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Track record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields;
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Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Preferred qualifications and experience
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Structural biology and cross-linking mass spectrometry;
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Workflow automation and reproducible data analysis pipelines.
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access to the newest and most advanced mass spectrometry instruments and computing infrastructures;
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a multidisciplinary environment within the group, with exposure to and collaborations with external partners beyond the lab;
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a social and diverse environment across the entire BioMS group with a strong sense of community, in including shared lunches and coffee breaks, a joint running group, Friday drinks and other social activities that extend beyond the laboratory;
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a position for initially 1 year;
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a gross monthly salary, depending on qualifications and experience, between € 3.546 and €5.538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
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8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
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a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.
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The Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) is the research institute of the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Utrecht University. UIPS focuses on processes around discovery, development, and use of drugs and medical nutrition using molecular and technological principles from the Natural and Life Sciences.
You will be embedded in the division of Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics. The group consist of more than 60 researchers and supportive staff, with 18 different nationalities and many different expertise, including chemists, biologists, bioinformaticians and technical staff. The research in this division focuses on the use of mass spectrometry based enabling technologies to deeply understand the inner workings of cells at the molecular level. The group houses an excellent infrastructure that includes more than a dozen state-of-the-art mass spectrometers, combined with cell culture facilities and access to microscopes etc. The BioMS group is world-renown for mass spectrometry-based proteomics and structural biology, and applies these technologies to study amongst others cancer, auto-immune disorders, immunology, infections, and infectious diseases.
Within the BioMS group you will work in the team and under the guidance of dr. Fabio Marino. Dr. Marino received his PhD in the BioMS group, after which he moved to the biotech industry. With several years of industry experience, he came back to the BioMS group as an assistant professor, leading his own immunopeptidomics group. His group focuses on enhancing our knowledge of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I/II processes of antigen processing/presentation by mass spectrometry-based proteomics and immuopeptidomics from the perspectives of the immune system and diseasedcells. Those learnings will make it possible to improve clinical products, provide new strategies for finding targetable HLA-bound antigens and to decipher what/how T cell Antigen discovery recognize. Currently, the group consists of 1 phd student, 1 technician and 5 post docs. The group has many close collaborations with industry, academic partners including Princes Maxima Centre and they are part of the NGF project Oncode Accelerator.
For more information, please contact Celine Miedema at [email protected].
Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to [email protected].
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home 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.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:
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your letter of motivation;
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your Curriculum vitae;
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the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.
If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The vacancy may close earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.
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