Are you an ambitious postdoc interested in building a synthetic cell? Join our strong team!

Our research focuses on understanding the role of liquid-liquid phase separation in the organisation, control and direction of biomolecular processes in cells. Ultimately, we aim to use these insights to create dynamic membrane-free compartments in synthetic cells to control the availability, folding and reactivity of biomolecules in space and time. The current emphasis is on developing populations of coexisting phase-separated compartments that can sequester RNA or proteins depending on their primary or secondary structure.

As a postdoc you will work on building a synthetic cell equipped with dynamic, membrane-free compartments inspired by membraneless organelles found in living cells. These artificial organelles will help direct enzymatic and genetic reaction networks in vitro, by acting as super-enhancers or reaction hotspots. You will design and test new protein constructs that undergo liquid-liquid phase separation and sequester specific biomolecules, and study their role in enhancing transcription, protein folding and oligomerisation. Ultimately, you will create a genetic toolbox that encodes all components of synthetic organelles in a synthetic cell. Throughout the project, you will work extensively with cell-free synthetic biology, fluorescence microscopy and microscopy-based material analysis, state-of-the-art microfluidic tools, and mathematical modelling techniques.

For more information, see www.spruijtlab.com & Front. Mol. Biosci. 2019, 6, 21; Nature Nanotechnology 2018, 13, 849; Soft Matter 2018, 14, 361; Nature Nanotechnology 2016, 11, 191.

• A PhD degree in chemical biology, biochemistry, biophysics or a related field.
• You have experience in molecular biology (cloning, transformation of bacteria and culturing) and working with proteins. Experience in fluorescence microscopy and/or quantitative image analysis would be an advantage.
• You have excellent communication skills and the willingness to work in a dynamic, international research team.
• You are proficient in written and spoken English.
• You are creative, have an analytical mindset, and want to work at the forefront of science.
• You are a team player.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year, with a possible extension to 3 years.

• Employment: 32 - 40 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 4.274 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 10).
• The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: 1 year, with a possible extension to 3 years.
• The intended start date is 1 April 2020.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent and collaboration. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde & Informatica

The research project will be carried out in the Coacervates and Soft Interfaces group of the Institute for Molecules and Materials led by Dr Evan Spruijt. IMM's goal is to provide world-leading research and training in the area of functional molecules and materials. You will be working with other postdocs and PhD candidates under Prof. Wilhelm Huck, Dr Evan Spruijt and Dr Peter Korevaar from the Department of Physical Organic Chemistry. This department is also part of the Research Centre for Functional Molecular Systems and BaSyC (Building a Synthetic Cell).

You will be working in a dynamic, highly interdisciplinary environment, with access to state-of-the-art microfluidics labs, confocal microscopy set-ups, and cell-culture facilities. The study of liquid-liquid phase separation has recently taken off in many areas of cell biology and biochemistry. The use of liquid-liquid phase separation to organise, control and direct biomolecular processes in synthetic cells is, however, relatively recent and has great potential for the construction of a functional synthetic cell, which is one of the greatest scientific challenges of our century. It is therefore an exciting time to be working in this innovative, interdisciplinary field.