Research into the human genome has been one of the fastest evolving areas of science, partly with the purpose of finding new evidence for links between the genome and diseases. As a PhD Candidate, you will put your knowledge of biology into practice by aiming to understand the genome architecture and the biophysical mechanisms that drive it.

One of the major challenges in biology is the process of organising the genome while tightly regulating its function. Our lab focuses on understanding the genome architecture and the biophysical mechanisms that drive it. In this project, you will use molecular biology and (single-molecule) microscopy techniques, with the aim to provide new insights into the interplay between post-translational modifications, chromatin folding, and phase separation on and around the genome. This will set the stage for understanding chromatin misregulation in disease. We are looking for a scientist with a fundamental interest in chromatin organisation who is open to conducting multidisciplinary research.

You will work as a member of the Cell Biology group at RIMLS-FNWI, under the supervision of Dr Jorine Eeftens, and in close collaboration with other group members. The project is embedded within an ambitious and interactive research department, with expertise in various omics approaches and advanced cell culture. There will be ample opportunities for collaboration within and outside the department. As part of your PhD training, you will assist in one or two courses a year and supervise BSc and MSc students within the context of your project. These educational duties may comprise up to 10% of your appointment.

• You hold a Master's degree in molecular biology, molecular life sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, nanobiology, or related field.
• You are enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary team.
• You have excellent communication skills in English.

Fixed-term contract: 4 or 5 years.

• Employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) -1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,434 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,111 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS) is a leading interfaculty research institute of the faculties of Science (FNWI) and Medicine (Radboud university medical center). The overarching aim of RIMLS is to decipher molecular mechanisms of disease. Research areas of RIMLS-FNWI include epigenetics, stem-cell and developmental biology, computational biology, and biophysics. The central research theme is regulation of gene expression during development and in health and disease. RIMLS-FNWI operates its own wet-lab, microscopes and computational facilities. This fundamental and applied research in medical biology and molecular life sciences has clear links to biochemical research performed at the Institute for Molecules and Materials and other institutes of the Faculty of Science, as well as to more clinically oriented research programs at departments within the Radboud university medical center.

RIMLS-FNWI actively contributes to teaching activities at Radboud University. RIMLS-FNWI currently employs approximately 50 researchers (including 30 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers) and provides a vibrant and international working environment. The institute actively participates in many European and worldwide consortia and collaborations.

Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!