Postdoc in Non-Target Screening - RECALL Project

About us

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Luxembourg. We conduct fundamental and translational research in the field of Systems Biology and Biomedicine - in the lab, in the clinic and in silico. We focus on neurodegenerative processes and are especially interested in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and their contributing factors. The LCSB recruits talented scientists from various disciplines: computer scientists, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, engineers, physicists and clinicians from more than 50 countries currently work at the LCSB. We excel because we are truly interdisciplinary, and together we contribute to science and society.

Successful candidates will join the Environmental Cheminformatics (ECI) group, led by Prof. Emma Schymanski, which develops methods to identify unknown chemicals and determine their effects on human health. The group pursues a fundamental shift away from single-substance assessments, towards developing generic approaches scalable to tens of thousands of chemicals, features and samples using high-resolution mass spectrometry, cheminformatics and data science. For more information, please visit the ECI website.

Your role

We are looking for an experienced postdoctoral fellow to lead the non-target screening activities in an exciting multi-partner European project RECALL: Uncovering the Role of Emerging Chemical Exposures in Brain Ageing Across the Life Course.

In RECALL, the research team is participating in WP2 (retrospective neuroexposome characterisation in existing datasets using untargeted exposomics) and responsible for WP3 (discovery and prioritisation of emerging neurotoxic pollutants through untargeted exposomics), in close collaboration with ISGlobal (Lea Maitre), CSIC (Pablo Gago-Ferrero) and University of Antwerp (Adrian Covaci).

The tasks include the development of harmonized suspect and non-target screening workflows for the RECALL consortium, retrospective screening activities and new measurements, with tasks distributed across various partners. Since WP3 is responsible for delivering prioritized chemicals for target screening in WP4, WP2 and WP3 outcomes will help drive project outcomes at an early stage.

The open position is part of the RECALL project, headed by ISGlobal in Spain and funded by the European Union (Project 101288116).

Your profile

• PhD degree (or equivalent) in analytical chemistry, environmental sciences, exposomics or related fields
• Extensive analytical experience in target and non-target high resolution mass spectrometry (NT-HRMS). Experience with Orbitrap instruments will be advantageous
• Extensive experience in retrospective screening of NT-HRMS data, preferably with open source approaches; experience in processing data from various instrument types will be advantageous
• Experience in designing and implementing experiments to answer complex environmental/exposomics questions in a collaborative environment
• Experience in and willingness to supervise PhD candidates, master's students and interns
• Ability and willingness to take on responsibility for work package coordination, coordinating and contributing to the deliverables and goals of the project and group, with project members and collaborators, including implementing robust methods, community initiatives and writing publications and deliverables in a timely manner
• Willingness to coordinate analytical activities with technical staff, including close collaboration with the Metabolomics Platform and collaborators
• Experience in and eagerness to contribute to teaching and research activities in various forms
• Willingness to write proposals to acquire third-party funding to ensure continuation of group activities
• Excellent command of English is required. Good working knowledge of German and/or French will be advantageous

We offer

• A modern, dynamic university with a personal and inclusive atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from more than 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
• An exceptional research environment, supported by skilled staff and high-quality equipment. Strong links to professional sectors and the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban campus with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and a wide range of non-academic partners including ministries, local governments, associations, and NGOs

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter detailing your motivation for applying to the advertised research topic and/or project, including how your background, interests, and career goals align with its objective
• PhD diploma or a letter/information indicating the expected defense date
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• List of publications
• Names, contact information and current position of 3 referees who can, upon request, provide an assessment of the application. Please indicate their relationship to you

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval Campus
• Internal Title: Postdoctoral researcher
• Job Reference: UOL08559

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 87306 (full time).