10 Apr 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)- Research Field
Physics- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Country
Netherlands- Application Deadline
21 May 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Not Applicable- Hours Per Week
40.0- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Living cells are highly complex systems made of countless lifeless molecular components. We do not understand how these interact to form a living cell that sustains itself, grows and divides. The BaSyC (‘Building a Synthetic Cell’) initiative is a collaborative 10-year research program that aims to understand ‘how life works’ by building an autonomous self-reproducing synthetic cell from the bottom up.
A key aspect of life is that it can reproduce. In order to duplicate itself, a cell needs to go through at least three steps: (1) replicate all its material, (2) deform its container and (3) split. To achieve these three steps, cells contain dedicated machinery. For the deformation and division steps, cells across kingdoms build self-assembling ring structures from protein filaments, such as the actin/septin ring in eukaryotic cells and the FtsZ ring in bacteria. Active contraction of these rings is key to both deformation and splitting. These processes will need to be reproduced in any artificial cell.
In this project, we’ll focus on step 2, investigating how the deformation can be achieved using materials that are either encapsulated or expressed inside the artificial cell. In particular, we want to find the conditions under which a membrane-deforming structure can autonomously first self-assemble on the inside of the vesicle and then actively deform it to a shape that can be split. We aim for a symmetric final shape that has higher total bending energy than two spherical daughter vesicles, even though there may still be an energy barrier involved in the actual splitting process. To achieve this goal, we will use a combination of analytical and numerical tools, and work in close collaboration with experimental groups, in particular the Koenderink and Dekker labs in the same department.
The position is in the theoretical biophysics group of Dr. Timon Idema in the Department of Bionanoscience.
Requirements
Specific Requirements
We seek an outstanding theoretical (bio)physicist with a strong affinity for research at the interface of physics and biology and with relevant research experience in fields such as membrane, molecular, or cell biophysics or soft matter physics. We are looking for a candidate with a high level of intellectual creativity, genuine interest in fundamental research, who enjoys collaborations and easily communicates with scientists from different disciplines.
Applicants must
- Hold a Master’s degree, or approach its completion, in physics, mathematics, nanobiology, chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
- Have excellent written and spoken English skills (see below).
- Thrive in an international, ambitious, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .
Additional Information
Benefits
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
Selection process
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 21 May 2024 via the application button and upload:
- A motivation letter that briefly describes why you apply for this position, your research interests, and your fit to the group.
- A detailed CV.
- Names and email addresses of at least 2 references.
Please note:
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- Your application will be reviewed as soon as it is received
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
Additional comments
or more information about this vacancy, please contact Timon Idema: [email protected] . You can find more information about our lab on our website: idemalab.tudelft.nl .
- Website for additional job details
https://www.academictransfer.com/340048/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Delft University of Technology
- Country
- Netherlands
- City
- Delft
- Postal Code
- 2628 CD
- Street
- Mekelweg 2
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
https://www.academictransfer.com/en/340048/phd-position-modeling-cellular-defor…
Contact
- City
Delft- Website
http://www.tudelft.nl/- Street
Mekelweg 2- Postal Code
2628 CD
STATUS: EXPIRED
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