The Multimodal Molecular Imaging institute (M4I) at Maastricht University is inviting applications for a PhD position (4 years) in the field of cellular cryo-electron microscopy. The PhD candidate will conduct structural cell biology research within the Nanoscopy group headed by Prof. Peter Peters.

The current research focuses on, but is not limited to, understanding the molecular machinery involved in the pathogenicity of mycobacterium tuberculosis. We develop and employ tools for the structural characterization of large macromolecular complexes within the native cellular environment using a variety of organism, i.e. bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. For this, a cryo-correlative workflow has been put in place from protein localization by correlative (cryo-) light microscopy, trimming with the focused ion beam, down to cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging, as well as single particle analysis. The successful candidate will work in the current workflow to study in detail the host-pathogen interaction mycobacteria, as well as optimize the workflow using bacteria and yeast. The overall goal is to improve the accuracy of protein localization by correlative microscopy, to increase the resolution of our data by alternative imaging conditions and to improve our understanding of the cellular processes by template-matching protein complexes within the native cellular context.
Our dream for this candidate is to visualize the 3D structure of the type VII secretion system in mycobacteria in situ inside the phagolysosome.

The successful candidate holds a master degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, biophysics or related fields.
Strong written and oral communication skills as well as a demonstrated affinity with high-end microscopy equipment and/or imaging computation are required. Candidates should be fluent in English; knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Fixed-term contract: 1 + 3 years.

For those unfamiliar with the Dutch PhD system, it is the norm to take 4 years to complete the laboratory work for the degree.

PhD candidates are paid a salary (€2266 gross per month in first year to €2897 last year) and receive benefits along with an 8% holiday and 8.3% year-end bonus given annually. Candidates who need to relocate may be eligible for compensation. It is a full-time research degree, with only optional course work. The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply (see www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees).

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

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

The M4INanoscopy division comprises a research team and microscopy CORE facility team, currently consisting of 15 members including service staff. It has a state-of-the-art light and electron microscopy facility counting many microscopes among which a correlative cryo-electron microscopy workflow consisting of a cryo-CorrSight, cryo-Scios dual FIB-SEM, and an Arctica cryo-TEM equipped with autoloader, phase plate and Falcon3 electron counting camera. In addition it includes super-resolution light microscopy (STED 3X) 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 – Maastricht for Imaging) that brings together a powerful palette of high-end, innovative imaging technologies.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/m4i