PhD positions on Single Molecule Biophysics of Viral Self-Assembly (2.0 FTE)

Two PhD positions are available for four-year terms as part of the recently awarded ERC Advanced Grant in the Wouter Roos lab. The main objective of this project is to unravel the molecular mechanisms of virus self-assembly.

RNA-containing viruses are complex, nanometre sized particles with at their centre proteins covering the RNA. We want to find out how these complex assemblies are built up. As traditional microscopy approaches are not suited to follow these minute, dynamic processes, the PhD students will use advanced microscopy and nanomanipulation techniques to record the live construction of such a virus, at the nanoscale. By unveiling how viruses are built up, we will not only provide fundamental understanding of these disease causing agents, we will also be able to better understand how specific antivirals works. These antivirals disturb the structure and dynamics of viruses and the result is that the viral particles are not able to infect anymore. By specifically looking at where and how such antivirals can change viral structure, this knowledge can be used for the development of better, more efficient antivirals that disturb the structure and dynamics of viruses faster and more effectively.

One PhD position is centred around High Speed-Atomic Force Microscopy (HS-AFM) which will be used to visualise viral self-assembly at the single protein level and to scrutinize the protein-protein interactions as well as the protein-nucleic acid interactions. The other PhD position is centred around Single Molecule Optical Tweezers (SMOT) where the genome will be trapped between two beads in order to study self-assembly via the compaction force of the protein-RNA interactions. Please specify in your motivation letter for which of the two positions you apply.

Organisation
The University of Groningen is a research university, currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists. The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is the largest faculty within the University, offering first-rate education and research in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines.

The mission of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM) is the design and scientific study of materials for functionality. The strength of our institute lies in focused, curiosity-driven, symbiotic studies of functional materials involving researchers from physics, chemistry and biology. Our main driving force is the desire to understand how things work at the microscopic/nanoscopic level, also known as the molecular scale. This is the realm of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this field, the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials covers the whole chain from synthesizing materials, building devices, characterizing materials and devices, and investigating the theoretical foundation of their properties.

The research in the Roos lab ranges from molecular to systems size levels. In particular, we study the structure and dynamics of supramolecular assemblies of both natural as synthetic origin including their self-assembly, their interaction with the environment and their mechanical properties. We study this dynamic behaviour with various biophysical techniques, including atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy. We address the different questions with an interdisciplinary team where people with backgrounds in various disciplines of the sciences, including physics, chemistry and biology, combine forces to tackle the challenges that come up while elucidating the fascinating mechanisms that govern life(-inspired) processes.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

- A MSc degree in physics or a related field.
- A clear interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research.
- Excellent grades.
- Creativity, determination and motivation.

Experience in nanoscience and/or atomic force microscopy is a plus.

We offer, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- A salary of € 3,059 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,881 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
- A full-time position (1.0 FTE) for four years. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.
- A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

The desired starting date is between January-March 2026