PhD Position in Mass Spectrometry Imaging
PhD Position in Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Published | Deadline | Location |
---|---|---|
30 Sep | 16 Oct | Maastricht |
A fully funded PhD studentship in the field of mass spectrometry imaging is available in the research group of Dr. Sebastiaan Van Nuffel at the Maastricht University. The position is based at the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4i) Institute, embedded in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) at Maastricht University.
Job description
Over the past couple of years, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has arisen as a powerful tool to answer research questions in the biomedical field. MSI is an imaging technique that allows the visualization of molecules. In biological tissue, it can locate biochemical compounds such as proteins, lipids and metabolites, which provides mechanistic insight into biological processes and helps us understand diseases such as cancer. The MSI technique best positioned for tissue analysis is time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) because it has the highest spatial resolution of all the molecular MSI techniques and can detect many biochemical species with high sensitivity. Thus far, ToF-SIMS has been extensively used in research involving relatively low-mass molecules such as lipidomics and metabolomics [1]. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to detect large molecules such as intact proteins with a typical ToF-SIMS instrument so label-free SIMS imaging of proteins in biological materials is not currently feasible. However, it is possible to conduct MSI-based immunohistochemistry (IHC) using metal-labeled antibodies and then detect the metals instead [2]. Combining labeled protein imaging with the label-free detection of lipids and metabolites in the same tissue section would be extremely powerful as it will finally be possible to link the expression of a protein to other spatial omics.
This PhD project aims to develop a methodology for MSI-based immunohistochemistry (IHC) using our state-of-the-art ToF-SIMS instrument (PHI nanoTOF II) in order to obtain correlative multi-omic image data of biological samples. In particular, you will develop new sample preparation protocols, experimental procedures and data analysis methods. You will then apply this methodology to answer biomedical research questions in cooperation with internal and external collaborators. You are expected to present your work in scientific journals and at scientific conferences. In addition, you will be able to gain experience teaching and mentoring bachelor and master students.
The PhD position will be supervised by Dr. Sebastiaan Van Nuffel and Prof. Ron Heeren. The position is a 4-year long (full-time) paid position. The anticipated start date is the fall of 2022, but reasonable accommodations can be made for the right candidate.
[1] Van Nuffel, S. et al., Anal.Chem. 2020, 92, 12079.
[2] Bodenmiller, B. Cell Systems 2016, 2, 225.
Specifications
- max. 38 hours per week
- €2541—€3247 per month
- Maastricht View on Google Maps
Maastricht University (UM)
Requirements
Skills and qualifications
Required:
- A Master’s degree (GPA > 3.0) in Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related subject;
- Proficiency in English (C1 or higher);
- Lab experience with mass spectrometry and/or immunohistochemistry;
- Capacity to quickly acquire new knowledge and master new skills;
- Interest in both hands-on research activities and data analysis;
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a research team;
- Problem solving skills and creativity.
Preferred (if you have a couple of these, you are more likely to succeed):
- Lab experience with (or in-depth knowledge of) mass spectrometry imaging;
- Lab experience with (or in-depth knowledge of) histological techniques;
- Lab experience with (or in-depth knowledge of) optical microscopy;
- Good knowledge of basic statistics and image data processing.
Desired (not vital, but highly appreciated):
- Lab experience with (or in-depth knowledge of) analytical instrumentation other than mass spectrometry (e.g. EM, NMR, XPS, FTIR, etc.);
- Programming skills.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 1+ 3 years.
Temporary employment for 4 years. The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended for another 3 years, which happens in the vast majority of cases. Each year an evaluation will take place.
Your salary would be € 2.541,- gross per month in the first year up to € 3.247,- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-candidate salary scale.
On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance.
The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM .
Employer
Maastricht University
Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl .
Additional information
For more information regarding this vacancy, you can contact:
Dr. Sebastiaan Van Nuffel ([email protected] )
Working at Maastricht University
Maastricht University distinguishes itself with its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education.
Read more
Apply via postal mail
Apply via postal mail
Don't forget to mention AcademicTransfer and the job number: AT2022.428 in your letter.
Back to the vacancy
Application procedure
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, an up-to-date CV, translated copies of their Bachelor and Master degrees (including transcript of records) and the contact details of at least two references. Candidates should submit an application by October 16, 2022, through Academic Transfer: [email protected] .
Please note, the system cannot upload the following attachments (xyz.zip .htm .html).
Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.
Similar Positions
-
Ph D Position: Investigating The Function Of Clip In Myocardial Structural Remodelling., Maastricht University (UM), Netherlands, 15 days ago
3 Apr 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Maastricht University (UM) Research Field Medical sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Netherlands Application Deadline 1...
-
Ph D Candidate In The Cultures Of Palestine Solidarity In Europe, Maastricht University (UM), Netherlands, 4 days ago
13 Apr 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Maastricht University (UM) Research Field Cultural studies Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Netherlands Application Deadline ...
-
Ph D Position "Trustworthiness Of Ai Systems In Healthcare", Maastricht University (UM), Netherlands, 6 days ago
12 Apr 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Maastricht University (UM) Research Field Medical sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Netherlands Application Deadline ...
-
Ph D Position 'Implementing Ai In Healthcare', Maastricht University (UM), Netherlands, 6 days ago
12 Apr 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Maastricht University (UM) Research Field Medical sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Netherlands Application Deadline ...
-
Ph D Candidate In Algorithmic Game Theory Under Uncertainty, Maastricht University (UM), Netherlands, 4 days ago
13 Apr 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Maastricht University (UM) Research Field Technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Netherlands Application Deadline 19 May...
-
Ph D Position At The Department Of Macro, International And Labour Economics, Maastricht University, Maastricht University (UM), Netherlands, 10 days ago
6 Apr 2024 Job Information Organisation/Company Maastricht University (UM) Research Field Economics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Netherlands Application Deadline 28 Apr 2...