Crystallization of water into ice is lethal to most organisms and detrimental to many soft materials. Freeze-avoidant fish living in polar seas evolved to tackle this problem with an unusual coping strategy. They produce 'antifreeze' proteins that block the growth of embryonic ice crystals within a narrow temperature range known as the 'thermal hysteresis gap' enabling survival under extreme conditions. In this project you will study recently developed biosynthetic protein-polymers which inhibit ice recrystallization and engineer optimized materials based on your findings. You will work in close collaboration with other group members who study bioinspired macromolecular antifreezes and use super-resolution imaging to measure ice-binding at the single molecule level. Our aim is to unravel how ice-binding proteins work and to better understand the functionality of biomimetic and biosynthetic antifreezes to custom-tailor these for biomedical applications.

We seek highly talented, self-motivated, and enthusiastic candidates with a PhD degree in Biological Soft Matter, Protein Biophysics, Biophysical Chemistry, or Molecular Life Sciences. The successful candidate has experience with quantitative microscopy, (computer-aided) protein engineering, and protein biophysics; knowledge of crystallization and microfluidics is preferred. Furthermore, good communication skills, fluency in English, and a strong motivation to do original, fundamental research in an interdisciplinary team are essential.  An interview and a scientific presentation are part of the selection process. 

The candidate is expected to disseminate the results through high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

• A challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious, multidisciplinary research team at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) at Eindhoven University of Technology.
• A full-time employment for at least 1 year.
• You will have free access to high-quality training programs for research and valorization,  professional development courses for PhD students, and didactical courses of the TEACH training program.
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities, between € 3.255 per month and € 3.637 per month (depending on background and work experience).
• We also offer an attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, excellent on-campus children day care, moving expenses, saving schemes and sport facilities) and we can help you find accommodation.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.