The Aubin-Tam group (www.aubintamlab.tudelft.nl) is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on a completely novel experimental platform that interfaces free-standing lipid membranes with optical tweezers inside a microfluidic device.

Cell lipid membranes are the site of vital biological processes, such as motility, trafficking and sensing, many of which involve mechanical forces. A large number of these processes depend on unequal conditions on each side of the membrane, e.g., protonmotive force. To understand how such diverse and vital processes are influenced by mechanical forces, it is essential to use force measurement tools that can track the dynamic response of membrane processes. The PhD student will use and develop such tools to study the biophysics of lipid bilayers and the activity of proteins interacting with lipid membrane, such as a bacterial contractile nanomachine.

Qualified candidates have a Master in either applied physics, physics, engineering, biophysics, or a related field. Successful candidates are motivated by a deep scientific curiosity, have excellent experimental and quantitative skills and possess a drive to learn and to develop new methods and concepts.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

Department
Bionanoscience (www.bn.tudelft.nl) is a multidisciplinary department that is dedicated to the study of fundamental and applied biological questions with cutting-edge tools from biology, physics and nanotechnology. Research topics range from single molecule biophysics and evolution to synthetic biology and artificial cells. The department offers excellent technical facilities, including an advanced microscopy suite and next-generation sequencing.

Section
The Aubin-Tam group is a dynamic and multidisciplinary research group interested in the interplay between structure and mechanics in biological molecules and materials.     

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/faculty-of-applied-sciences