PostDoc Targeted Proteomics Protein Biomarker Standardization

Are you eager to translate cutting-edge targeted proteomics into standardized protein biomarker measurements for clinical diagnostics? Join an interdisciplinary academic-clinical-industry collaboration developing robust LC-MS/MS reference methods for lung cancer tumor markers.

Protein tumor markers can support minimally invasive lung cancer diagnostics, but results from current immunoassays vary between platforms and laboratories. You will help close this standardization gap by developing and validating targeted mass-spectrometry workflows and reference measurement procedures for clinically relevant protein biomarkers, including CEA, NSE and CYFRA
21-1.

• You will conduct hands-on research in quantitative targeted proteomics, with emphasis on immunoaffinity enrichment, bottom-up LC-MS/MS and SISCAPA-based workflows.
• You will select and evaluate signature peptides, establish calibration strategies using stable-isotope-labelled standards, characterize reference proteins and peptides, and assess sensitivity, selectivity, recovery, matrix effects, precision, accuracy and robustness.
• You will compare candidate reference methods with commercial immunoassays and contribute to analysis of serum and pleural-fluid samples.
• You will integrate activities across connected projects that aim to create a transferable platform for reference measurement procedures and materials for complex protein biomarkers.
• You will plan experiments, maintain high-quality and reproducible documentation, analyze and interpret quantitative data, prepare scientific publications and presentations, and contribute to method transfer, standard operating procedures and project reporting.

The position is embedded in the Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and in the regional Expertise Center Clinical Chemistry Eindhoven. You will work closely with researchers and clinical chemists at TU/e, Catharina Hospital and Máxima Medical Center, and with diagnostic and technology partners including Roche Diagnostics and SISCAPA Assay Technologies. You will also collaborate with PhD students and supervise Master and Bachelor students.

Your work will advance metro logically traceable and comparable protein biomarker measurements, support harmonization of tumor-marker testing across clinical laboratories, and establish methods that can be extended to biomarkers beyond lung cancer.

• A PhD in analytical chemistry, proteomics, biochemistry, chemical biology, clinical chemistry, biomedical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable hands-on research experience in (targeted quantitative) proteomics, LC-MS/MS bioanalysis and/or quantitative protein biomarker analysis.
• Experience with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry and quantitative acquisition strategies such as MRM/SRM or PRM.
• Experience with protein and peptide sample preparation, enzymatic digestion, immunoaffinity enrichment and/or stable-isotope-labelled internal standards. Experience with SISCAPA, automated liquid handling, protein engineering or recombinant protein production is an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of analytical method development and validation, including calibration, sensitivity, selectivity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effects, robustness, quality control and measurement uncertainty.
• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research, demonstrated through publications or other substantial research outputs.
• Strong quantitative and problem-solving skills, careful experimental practice.
• Ability to manage complex work packages, prioritize activities and deliver results on schedule.
• A collaborative and proactive working style, with the ability to communicate effectively across academic, clinical and industrial disciplines and to support junior researchers.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Dutch is not required, but willingness to collaborate effectively with Dutch clinical and academic environments is expected.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch…