We seek a new colleague to strengthen and develop new research directions in cryo-EM for structural biology, in particular – but not exclusive – in situ cellular cryogenic electron tomography. The goal for this researcher is to develop an own research line while consolidating and complementing the cryo-EM activities initialized by our teams. Our teams consist of a mix of academic investigators and (industrial) engineers.

We aim to understand how gene products or proteins work within their cellular environment in health and disease. Our institute houses a state of the art cryo-Light Microscopy/Electron Microscopy correlative workflow from cellular localization, milling with focused ion beam (FIB-SEM), down to cryo-electron tomography, subvolume averaging and image processing to study how these nano-machines work under native conditions.

Our biology research focuses on unraveling, controlling and tempering the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at a. molecular level. The Institute is also interested in adding knowledge about other pathogen infections applying in situ structural biology to understand the nano-machines involved in the infection process within its native context in the host cell. The Institute, consisting of a Mass Spectrometry Imaging division and a Nanoscopy division, has a strong interest in technology and method development, exemplified by its involvement in the development of new machines for multi-modal imaging, sample preparation and vitrification, phase plates and detectors.

Next to the research, teaching Bachelor and Master students will be an important part of the job. You will be involved in the educational dedication of the University. Therefore, we will give you the opportunity to obtain a University Teaching Qualification in case you do not have it yet.

If you want to know more about our research, please check these publications from our lab:

Understanding the invisible hands of sample preparation for cryo-EM.
Nat Methods. 2021 May;18(5):463-471 Weissenberger et al

SARS-CoV-2 productively infects human gut enterocytes
Science (2020), 369 (6499), 50-54 Lamers et al

Cryo-EM structures from sub-nl volumes using pin-printing and jet vitrification
Nature Comm (2020), 11, 1, 9 Ravelli et al

Fibril structure of amyloid-beta(1-42) by cryo-electron microscopy
Science (2017) 358:116-118 Gremer et al

You have a strong interest in the cryo-EM field and shown ability to collaborate in an academic, multidisciplinary environment. A successful candidate will also demonstrate an international network in the cryo-EM field and interest in interdisciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, we encourage you to apply if:

• You have a PhD degree in a relevant field.
• You have multiple publications in the field.
• You have affinity with high-end equipment and/or cell biology.
• You have experience with supervision.
• You have a passion for teaching and the ambition to become a creative teacher.
• You are effective in acquiring external funding.
• You have the ability of creating societal impact and commercial value.
• You have excellent communication skills and are a team player.
• You are fluent in English. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.
• You have a University Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) or equivalent, or are willing to acquire one within three years.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

We offer you a chance to develop yourself further as a researcher. You will start a career growth mentorship programme. You will be given guidance and help to develop your career within Maastricht University.

You will start at a salary level comparable to assistant professor depending on your level of experience at the time of selection. Salaries in the Netherlands are set by the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU), in which assistant professors earn approximately €3,974 – €6,181 (scale 11-12) gross (before tax) per month. Employees also receive an 8% holiday and 8.3% year-end bonus given annually and those who need to relocate may be eligible for compensation. Employees relocating from abroad may be eligible for the Dutch ‘30% ruling’, which can result in a significantly higher net salary. The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) and local UM provisions also apply. Laboratory and office facilities (with support staff) are shared by the entire institute.

As holder of the Family-friendly University quality mark, we offer flexible working. For this you will receive a monthly home-work and internet allowance. If you work full-time, you are entitled to 29 days of vacation per year. You have the option to work 2 'compensatory hours' a week more, which means an additional 12 vacation days. You can also personalize your terms of employment using a 'Employment Conditions Selection Model'. As a UM employee, you can also participate in our fitness programme and make use of the extensive sports facilities which we offer our students.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University is an international organization, embracing a diverse student and staff population. We strongly believe that diversity is our advantage and creating an inclusive working climate in which students and staff feel a valued member of the UM community is therefore a top priority. UM values diversity within its community and encourages you to apply regardless of your background or identity.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University (UM) is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach and has around 22,000 students and 5,000 employees (> 50% is from abroad). UM is a young university in the heart of Europe, with a distinct global perspective and a focus on innovative education and research strategies. We see ourselves as an open inclusive academic community, striving for a good mix between Dutch, European and other international students and staff. UM is committed to nurturing an inclusive culture and a welcoming and safe atmosphere. This strategy has resulted in a very diverse representation of nationalities and cultures. We strongly believe that diversity (including, but not limited to nationality, age and gender) of the staff and student population will increase the quality of UM education & research. Fostering diversity and inclusivity creates an academic community where individual talents thrive, and values and differences are cherished. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are qualified for this position.

Nanoscopy division of the Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging institute (M4I)

The M4I Nanoscopy division has a state-of-the-art microscopy facility among which a correlative cryo-EM workflow consisting of a cryo-CorrSight, cryo-Scios dual FIB-SEM, and an Arctica cryo-TEM equipped with autoloader, phase plate, Falcon3 and Timepix3 electron counting camera. In addition, it includes two Tecnai Spirit 120kV TEMs, super-resolution light microscopy (3D-STED) and 2-photon microscopy for live cell imaging. The division of Nanoscopy forms together with the division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry the Multimodal Molecular Imaging institute (M4I) www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/M4I in which more than 50 young scientist from all over the world bring together a powerful palette of high-end, innovative imaging technologies. Our Microscopy CORE Lab ensures scientific and practical support in sample preparation, microscopy techniques, imaging processing and interpretation. We participate in www.emicroscopy.nl, eurobioimaging.nl and nemi.microscopie.nl and have access to two KRIOS cryo-EMs at NeCEN www.necen.nl.  Our lab develops with our next-door ‘Instrument Development Engineering & Evaluation’ facility new technologies.