PhD on thermoplasmonic nanoparticles for single-molecule folding

Department(s)

Applied Physics and Science Education

Reference number

V34.5488

The Molecular Plasmonics group at Eindhoven University of Technology (The Netherlands, www.molecular-plasmonics.nl ) has an open position (4-year PhD) wherein the candidate will develop plasmonic nanosensors for the study of single-molecule folding and unfolding.

Background

In our group we have developed single-particle plasmon sensors with single-molecule sensitivity based on plasmon-enhanced fluorescence. This project is part of the ERC Consolidator grant MultiSense, which aims to expand this toolbox by developing multi-color plasmon-enhanced sensors. The ultimate goal is to develop a platform that enables real-time studies of the interactions and dynamic cooperation between multiple (differently labelled) proteins. As a model system we will use chaperone proteins that are mediators of protein-folding and are therefore key players in neurodegenerative diseases that involve misfolding.

Project description

The candidate will develop a plasmonic sensor that (a) controllably initiates the unfolding of a protein by thermoplasmonic particle heating, and (2) simultaneously probes the protein conformation using single-molecule fluorescence. The candidate will expand an existing microscope with the necessary optics to induce and probe photothermal particle heating. This setup will then be used to study unfolding and refolding of single proteins that are conjugated to a metallic particle. As part of MultiSense the candidate will collaborate with 2 previously employed members with a background in physics and biomedical engineering.

We welcome applications from candidates with a MSc degree in physics with experience in single-particle or single-molecule microscopy. Affinity with nanoparticle functionalization or quantitative analysis of microscopy data is an advantage.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program ).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called ‘30% facility’, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
dr. P. Zijlstra, p.zijlstra[at]tue.nl

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.flux[at]tue.nl

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application

If interested, please use the 'apply now'-button at the top of this page. You should upload the following:

• a one-page cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the position.
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• a copy or link to your MSc thesis.
• contact information of two references.
• copies of diplomas with course grades.

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.

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