Assistant Professor Advanced Therapies

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Applying is possible until: 2 april 2026

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) are looking for an:

Assistant Professor Advanced Therapies

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor (UD) in Advanced Therapies to strengthen the research and educational activities of the Division of BioTherapeutics. The Division of BioTherapeutics focuses on accelerating the translation of preclinical research into pharmacological interventions by integrating novel target discovery in immune-based diseases with advanced nano-enabled drug delivery systems, including small molecules, biologics, and nucleic acid therapeutics. The division contributes to the Bachelor/Master program in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Master program in Pharmacy, which is jointly organized with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). The successful candidate will establish and further develop an independent research line that complements and strengthens ongoing activities in nano-sized delivery platforms for biotherapeutics, with clear translational relevance.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Perform high-impact, independent research in the area of nanomedicines, advanced drug delivery, gene therapy, immunotherapy and cell therapy, with strong translational focus.
• Lead research across the full preclinical development pipeline, including nanomaterial design, formulation development, characterization, and preclinical evaluation.
• Contribute to the acquisition of external research funding.
• Perform (co-)supervision of PhD candidates.
• Contribute to teaching and/or coordination of courses in the Bachelor and/or Master of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Contribute to student supervision in Bachelor and Master research projects.
• Foster a collaborative, multidisciplinary, supportive and team-science-driven environment within the division.

The successful candidate should meet the following selection criteria:

• PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Science.
• Master degree in Pharmaceutical Science or a closely related field.
• Proven expertise in nanomedicine, including drug delivery, nanotechnology, cell biology, immunology, bio-analytics and biophysics. A clear focus on lipid and polymer-based RNA delivery is highly appreciated.
• Strong knowledge of biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical technology and biomaterials.
• Proven knowledge of state-of-the-art experimental approaches in biophysics, pharmaceutical technology, biopharmaceutics and translational drug delivery. Detailed knowledge on Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy is highly appreciated.
• Experience in (co-) supervision of PhD candidates and mentoring of graduate students.
• Strong teaching experience and enthusiasm for supervising Bachelor and Master students in nanomedicine and advanced therapeutics.
• Strong team player, experienced in working with multi-disciplinary research teams.
• A well-established international research profile with high-quality publications and collaborations with academic and industrial partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; Dutch proficiency or willingness to learn is a plus;
• In possession of a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or prepared to obtain this qualification within two years.

Curiosity and passion for science are what connect our people: the desire to know, understand, interpret, explain and create. Our mission is to provide excellent teaching and research across the full breadth of the sciences, contributing to solutions for major societal challenges. Our eight institutes, ranging from mathematics, computer science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biopharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences, along with the Lorentz Center and the Hortus botanicus, form the backbone of our faculty and have a strong mutual interconnectedness.

We work in a safe, stimulating and international environment where people work and study with pleasure and passion, and where building connections and collaboration, both within and beyond the faculty, are a clear choice. The faculty has over 2,700 staff members and more than 6,000 students enrolled in nine bachelor's and fifteen master's programmes. We are located in the heart of the Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s largest science parks, where academia and industry meet.

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is a leading institute dedicated to world-class research and education in drug discovery and development. LACDR comprises a diverse and international team of approximately 150 researchers and is ideally located at the Leiden Bio Science Park, the largest life science cluster in The Netherlands. 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.

We offer a full-time appointment. The salary ranges from € 4.728,--, to € 6.433 gross per month (pay scale 11, depending on experience level of the candidate), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The contract will be for a permanent position.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and 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.

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.

To apply for this vacancy, please submit your application online via the blue button in our application system.

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

• A cover letter explaining your motivation, background, and qualifications for the position;
• A detailed CV;

Only applications before 2 April 2026 can be considered.