The recent integration of single-molecule fluorescence now allows us to visualize the composition of actively translating ribosome-chaperone-client complexes, pushing the envelope of technical possibilities. In this project, we use this novel approach together with ribosomal profiling in order to unravel the first steps of protein biogenesis in real time.

Chaperones are central to protein biogenesis, but their action at the ribosome remains poorly understood. A central complication is the highly dynamic nature of this process, which involves polypeptide synthesis, folding, chaperone binding and ATP cycles, as well as a possible interplay between chaperones. New tools now allow us to directly monitor these dynamics. Recently it has become possible to detect protein conformational changes mediated by chaperones, as we have shown at the single-molecule level using optical tweezers for SecB, Trigger Factor, and Hsp70 (Science 2007, Nature 2013, Nature 2016).

You need to meet the requirements for a doctors-degree.

Fixed-term contract: two years.

NWO-I, the Institutes Organisation of NWO prefers candidates who have qualifying experience (e.g. as PhD student or postdoctoral researcher) in a scientific research institute abroad.You will be employed by NWO-I for a fixed period of two years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 4,154 euro gross per month, depending on your level of experience. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 percent and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33 percent. The conditions of employment of NWO-I are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English).
General information about working at NWO-I can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'Job interview code' applies to this position.

AMOLF

AMOLF, Amsterdam (Biophysics).