One of the grand challenges of the 21st century is to understand how life arises from inanimate molecular matter. We take on this challenge with a large team consisting of biophysicists, biochemists and cell biologists within the NWO Gravitation Program BaSyC. We will combine molecular components to create a synthetic cell that can grow and divide autonomously, i.e. display one of the hallmarks of life, the ability to self-replicate. Your job is to design, through mathematical modelling, the biomolecular functional modules that coordinate chromosome segregation and cell division with DNA replication, and growth.

You have a strong background in statistical physics, an affinity with analytical theory as well as computer simulations (e.g. MD, MC, Green’s Function Reaction Dynamics (GFRD)). Prior experience with biophysics is appreciated, but not a requirement. The willingness to dive into biological systems and to interact with experimentalists, is a must. 
You will need to meet the requirements for an MSc-degree, to ensure eligibility for a Dutch PhD examination.

The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years. In the event of an appointment as PhD, you will, on successful completion, be granted a PhD at Utrecht University, with prof. dr. Mulder as your primary promotor. Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students. AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

Theory of Biomolecular Matter

You will be based jointly in the Theory of Biomolecular Matter group of Bela Mulder and the Biochemical Networks group of Pieter Rein ten Wolde at AMOLF.