The cell is the basic unit of life. However, even simple bacteria are too complex to fully understand. We wish to understand how the different components in the cell self-organise, and how the resulting highly-ordered structures influence key processes such as gene expression. Our research aims at uncovering the hidden level of control in living cells that arises from physical processes such as phase-separation, macromolecular crowding, and reaction diffusion processes.

As a PhD Candidate, you will work on ‘putting E.coli together again’ in order to truly discover how physics and chemistry combine to create biology. You will be using microfluidic tools to prepare monodisperse liposomes and fill these with DNA and cell extract. We will express new genetic networks that will act as sensors for the physical parameters inside the liposomes. These model systems allow you to study physicochemical phenomena, such as reaction-diffusion and phase transitions, in real time using fluorescence microscopy.

The research project will be carried out by the Physical Organic Chemistry group of the Institute for Molecules and Materials at Radboud University. The group has close research links with the biophysics and bionanoscience groups in Delft, Groningen and at AMOLF through the Gravitation Programma ‘Building a Synthetic Cell’ (BaSyC). The physical organic chemistry group is housed in the new Huygens building and has state-of-the-art microfluidics labs, (confocal) fluorescence microscopy set-ups, and cell culturing and protein production facilities.

- an MSc degree in chemistry, molecular life sciences, biophysics, or a related discipline;
- affinity with physical chemistry is a plus;
- strong motivation and interest in working at an interdisciplinary research centre in a highly collaborative environment;
- excellent skills in written and spoken English.

you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years
- you will be classified as a PhD candidate in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO).
the gross starting salary amounts to €2,222 per month, and will increase to €2,840 in the fourth year

Radboud University

Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

Faculty of Science

The IMM’s goal is to provide world-leading research and training in the area of functional molecules and materials. The emphasis is on the understanding and harnessing of complexity to design materials with new functionalities. The IMM has a multidisciplinary character and encompasses theoretical and experimental groups with both physics and chemistry backgrounds. The infrastructure and expertise available enables ground-breaking research in all areas of materials science. For further information on the IMM see: www.ru.nl/imm

No commercial propositions please.