PhD position in biomimetic DNA origami mechanisms

Chaperones are protein complexes that assist other proteins in their folding process. Well-known examples are the bacterial GroEL/ES and the eukaryotic TRiC. Despite extensive research, there are still significant controversies regarding the exact mechanism of action. To understand the molecular and biophysical principles of protein folding, we aim to build fully controllable chaperone-like machines using DNA origami, characterising them through cutting-edge biophysical and biochemical techniques.

Your job
As a PhD candidate in this project, you will design, produce, and characterise advanced DNA origami nanostructures using biophysical and biochemical techniques, as well as electron and fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, you will incorporate chemical components, peptides, PNAs, etc., into these nanostructures to enhance their functionalities and integrate biological-like functions.

To achieve these goals, you will work at the interface of biophysics and biochemistry. Your contributions will help develop novel bottom-up approaches for investigating the mechanisms of chaperone-mediated protein folding. Your responsibilities will include:

• conducting independent experimental work and perform data analysis;
• maintaining an (electronic) lab journal and organising research data;
• presenting regularly at internal team meetings;
• publishing in scientific journals;
• attending and presenting at scientific conferences;
• supporting, teaching and mentoring undergrad students;
• engaging with the research community at the Bijvoet Centre.

You will have the freedom to explore your own ideas within the project goals, supported by your supervisor, Dr. Eva Bertosin.

You are genuinely curious and passionate about science, are willing to work independently, possess critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, and are motivated to understand and re-engineer complex biological systems. Additionally, you bring:

• a MSc degree in (bio)physics, (bio)chemistry, or a related field;
• experience working in a wet lab and performing data analysis;
• demonstrable skills in scientific writing and presentations;
• proficiency in spoken and written English;
• experience with transmission electron microscopy or fluorescence microscopy (this is a plus, but not essential)

• A position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment in the first 18 months;
• a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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You will work in a newly established subgroup led by Eva Bertosin, within the Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry group (formerly Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics). The group, which is part of the Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research (Department of Chemistry), is a highly interdisciplinary team with diverse research interests and expertise. You will be exposed to many different approaches, from cell biology methods to (bio)chemical and biophysical techniques, with systems ranging from self-assembled model structures to yeast and from bacterial and mammalian cells to the worm C. elegans.

For more information, please contact dr. Eva Bertosin at e.bertosin@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

The selection process will begin with online interviews for selected candidates. Based on these, a shortlist will be invited for an in-person visit to the department, where feasible. Please note that interviews may be scheduled before the application deadline, so you are encouraged to submit your application early.