Job Utrecht University, Division of Developmental Biology - PhD researcher Identification and Characterization of Polarity complex components (1,0 fte)

The PhD position is part of an NWO Vidi project “identification and characterization of polarity complex components”, under supervision of Dr. M. Boxem. Cell polarity is critical to animal development and tissue functioning, and defects in polarity are an important factor in the development of cancer and other diseases. Polarization of cells and tissues requires assembly of a variety of protein complexes that include scaffolding proteins with multiple protein binding domains. Identifying which proteins interact and how they interact is therefore an excellent starting point to improve our understanding of polarity establishment.

To identify protein interactions, we use two complementary technologies: the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system and affinity purification followed by mass spectrometry (AP/MS).Y2H identifies direct interactions between pairs of proteins (binary interactions), while AP/MS identifies members of stable complexes. By combining both technologies, a more comprehensive view of relevant interactions is obtained. We are actively improving both technologies, for example by modifying the Y2H system to identify protein interaction domains, and by developing efficient AP/MS approaches for use in C. elegans.

The PhD project will start with the identification of proteins that interact with known polarity regulators by Y2H, after which promising interactions will be characterized in vivo using several polarity models available in C. elegans. Thus, key aspects of the project include the use of the yeast two-hybrid system, technology development, and in vivo studies in C. elegans. Because of the unbiased nature of large-scale interaction mapping efforts, the PhD candidate will have a large amount of freedom in determining the course of the project and is expected to contribute his or her own ideas.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals (MSc or equivalent) with experience, or an interest in developmental biology, high-throughput protein interaction mapping and systems biology approaches. He or she communicates easily in English, both verbally and in writing, and is eager to work within a team of enthusiastic researchers.

The candidate is offered a full-time position for 4 years. Gross salary starts at € 2042,- per month in the first year and increases to € 2612,- in the fourth year of employment. The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities.The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project. You can find more information on the website.

The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

The Developmental Biology division is in the department of Biology and focuses on several topics related to the development of multicellular organisms, such as the control of cell division, the establishment of cell polarity, and asymmetric cell division. The division houses three research groups that use C. elegans as a model system. Because of the different training backgrounds, each of them contributes a unique point of view and technical expertise. The groups work in close collaboration, providing critical mass and a vibrant atmosphere with many national and international contacts. For more information on the different research groups and the research performed within the Developmental Biology division, please visit our website: http://www.bio.uu.nl/developmentalbiology

Additional information about the position can be obtained from the project leader: Dr. M. Boxem tel. (0)30 253 3714, e-mail: m.boxem@uu.nl.  As part of the selection procedure, the candidate is expected to give an outline of his or her research experience in an oral presentation.