In this project, you will study protein structures during cell division. Cell division is an extremely dynamic process, and errors in this phase of the cell cycle have far-reaching consequences. Studying the protein dynamics at relevant scale is not trivial, as the dynamical interplay is at scales much smaller than the diffraction limit of light, and thus beyond the reach of traditional microscopes. Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy on the other hand does allow imaging with a resolution of 30 nanometres even in living cells.

You will work on the development of new labelling, imaging and analysis approaches for STED microscopy, optimized for the imaging of dynamic protein structures in the nuclei of living cells. The work will be diverse, as it will include among others (life cell) sample preparation, hardware modification, programming and (automation of) data analysis.

You will work in an international and interdisciplinary research environment closely together both with colleagues of the Molecular Biophysics group at the Zernike Institute, as well as with several labs in the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB) and several international collaborators.

- a European master’s degree (or equivalent) in (bio)physics, nanoscience, (bio)informatics, life sciences or a related area
- an excellent track record
- highly motivated and able to work in a multidisciplinary and international work environment
- excellent communication skills in both oral and written English.
Experience in programming, optics or cell biology is desirable but not mandatory.

We offer you, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
- a salary of € 2,325 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 2,972 gross per month in the fourth and final year
- a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
- an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
- minimum of 29 holidays and additional 12 holidays in case of full-time employment
- a position for four years; you will get 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 contract period is to be expected.

The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. With its 31,000 students and Nobel prize winning researchers, the University of Groningen ranks among the top universities globally. It is situated in the vibrant capital of the northern Netherlands, Groningen.

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate for our research on life cell STED Nanoscopy in the lab of Assistant professor Rifka Vlijm in the Molecular Biophysics group of the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. We offer this position in a stimulating, diverse, international research environment in a world-class academic institute with a multi-disciplinary research programme that encourages close collaborations between theoretical and experimental groups with different expertise.