PhD Candidate in Experimental Biological Physics of Cardiovascular Systems

Are you intrigued by the physical mechanisms that drive biological processes? Are you passionate about using microscopy, experimental biophysics, and image processing to understand cell and tissue behaviour under mechanical stimuli? Then this might be the ideal position for you! Fluidlab at the Institute of Physics (part of the Soft Matter Group and the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute) specializes in Biological and Synthetic Active Matter, Complex Fluids, and Multiphase Flows. employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating theoretical modelling, computational simulations, and cutting-edge experiments, to unravel the fundamental physics of complex fluid dynamics and living biological systems.

Join Us!
The project is part of the Vascular Immunology Consortium, an ambitious interdisciplinary research initiative supported by the University of Amsterdam. This consortium bridges the Faculties of Life Sciences and Medicine, fostering a highly collaborative and integrative research environment. The overarching objective of the consortium is to elucidate the complex mechanisms by which the vascular system regulates the human immune response, with a particular focus on how vascular integrity and function are modulated under inflammatory conditions, including leukocyte extravasation and the biophysical stresses imposed by hypertension and blood flow. This consortium offers three PhD positions at the UvA Faculty of Science. For more information about the other two PhD positions, check PhD candidate in cell biology and microscopy and PhD candidate in Machine Learning and molecular modelling.

This is what you will do
The main goal of this project is to understand the mechanics of cells and tissue under various flow conditions. You will work with custom-made fluidic setups integrated with microscopy techniques to directly observe and quantify the responses of endothelial cells and tissues to external fluid forces. Your research will include designing experiments with innovative and non-standard tools, performing imaging using confocal microscopy and advanced imaging methods, processing images through open-source software (e.g., Napari, trackpy, CellPose, …), analyzing data, and developing statistical models to interpret your findings.

During your PhD research, you will apply a variety of techniques, including (but not limited to): Microfluidic flow experiments and rheological measurements, Microscopy (including confocal microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy), Advanced image analysis methods, Micro-pipette manipulations, Small-scale force measurements, Optogenetics approaches, Statistical physics methods and modeling.

You will carry out your experiments systematically, ensuring thorough documentation and clear organization of your data. Regular discussion of your progress in lab meetings, collaboration with team members, and supervision of bachelor and master students during internships will also form essential parts of your role.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• complete a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
• Perform experiments to measure and understand the mechanical response of endothelial cells and tissues under controlled fluidic conditions.
• Conduct microscopy imaging and advanced quantitative analyses.
• Process experimental data using open-source image analysis and perform statistical analysis and modeling.
• perform your experiments in a systematic and well controlled manner and keep accurate records by properly documenting and organizing your work;
• discuss your work in our lab meetings, incorporate feedback and give input to others;
• assist in teaching and supervise BSc/MSc students during their research internship;
• participate in the Faculty of Science PhD training programme.

What we ask of you
You are passionate about science and have a particular interest in fundamental cell and tissue biophysics with affinity for microscopy, image analysis, and statistical physics models. You like a challenge and are motivated to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment. You are a team player with good communication and problem-solving skills.

Your experience and profile
You have/are:

• a recent MSc degree in the physics or biological physics (or a related area);
• experience with imaging and image-analysis.
• great programming skills (e.g., Python)
• have great knowledge of fluid mechanics and statistical physics
• affinity with imaging techniques, data analysis, data visualization;
• a high intrinsic motivation and aptitude for fundamental research (reflected by your CV);
• fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Cell culture experience would be an asset.

This is what we offer you
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date 1 November 2025 or sooner. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €3,059 to €3,881 (scale P).This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP – as part of the Faculty of Science –is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics center of international standing.

The Van der Waals - Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is part of the IoP and home to three research clusters: Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI), Quantum Materials (QMat), and Soft Matter (SM). For more information about Dr. Mazi Jalaal’s research group see www.fluidlab.nl.

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 17 August 2025. The interviews will be held in the course of September 2025.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Mazi Jalaal, m.jalaal@uva.nl

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.