Are you interested in unravelling rules of life in a dynamic environment? Join our team!

Cells live in a continuously changing (dynamic) and noisy environment. It is fascinating how cells respond to relevant changes in their environment while staying ignorant of the noise. Protein-kinases play a central role in transmitting the relevant 'input signals' throughout the cell, catalysing or inhibiting chemical reactions, thereby forming a connected network of intracellular signalling.

The revolutionary single-cell technologies now allow us to sample thousands of cells for their molecular composition. Our team focuses on adapting these technologies to study how cells process dynamic input signals, and what happens to cells' ability to interpret these signals in case of disease or drug pressure. For this position, you will join a multidisciplinary team that aims to unravel the rules of 'molecular information processing'. As a member of the group, which includes chemists, molecular biologists, microfluidics engineers and computational scientists, you will initially work on the design of dynamic cell environments and use computational tools to analyse single-cell multi-omics datasets. In close collaboration with wet-lab scientists, you will design and perform cell biology experiments to generate multi-omics datasets that contain information on cell signalling state. Ultimately, you will study the information flow throughout the cellular signalling network in response to custom-designed dynamic input signals. Throughout the project, you will work with mathematical modelling techniques, bioinformatics, and will have the opportunity to work with or help to improve the design and analysis tools of experiments based on microfluidics, molecular biology and single-cell technologies.

• You have an MSc degree in Life Sciences (molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering or a related field).
• You have affinity with computer science and are willing to combine experimental work with computational work. Experience with complex systems, bioinformatics, mathematical modelling or wet-lab work (single-cell transcriptomics, cell culture) would be an advantage.
• You have excellent communication skills and the willingness to work in a dynamic, international research team.
• You are creative, have an analytical mindset, and have a strong motivation to work at the forefront of science.
• You are proficient in written and spoken English.

Fixed-term contract: 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.

• Employment: 32 - 40 hours per week.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,395 per month, and will increase to €3,061 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: 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 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, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde & Informatica

As a PhD Candidate, you will be part of the Physical-Organic Chemistry group at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). The group is part of Theme 2, Chemistry of Complex Systems, of the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM).

The IMM is an interdisciplinary research institute in chemistry and physics at Radboud University. IMM's mission is to perform fundamental research to understand, design and control the functioning of molecules and materials and to train the next generation of leaders in science and entrepreneurship to the highest international standards. You will have the opportunity to interact with researchers at the IMM and participate in institute-wide activities.