Project description
Crystallization of water into ice is lethal to most organisms and detrimental to many soft materials. Freeze-avoidant fish living in polar seas
evolved to tackle this problem with an unusual coping strategy. They produce 'antifreeze' proteins that block the growth of embryonic ice crystals within a narrow temperature range known as the 'thermal hysteresis gap' enabling survival under extreme conditions. In this project you will design and implement single molecule imaging methods to unravel how antifreeze proteins work and to better understand the unctionality of biomimetic polymeric antifreezes developed for materials science and biomedical applications.

We seek highly talented, motivated, and enthusiastic candidates with a PhD degree in Biophysics. The successful candidate has experience with quantitative fluorescence microscopy, single molecule imaging and/or single molecule force spectroscopy and protein biophysics; knowledge of crystallization and microfluidics is preferred. Furthermore, good communication skills, fluency in English, and a strong motivation to do original, fundamental research in an interdisciplinary team are essential.  An interview and a scientific presentation are part of the selection process.

We offer a challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious, multidisciplinary research team at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) at Eindhoven University of Technology. Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU). We also offer an attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, child care and sport facilities) and we can help you find accommodation. The candidate is expected to disseminate the results through high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.