In this position you will combine mechanistic and data-driven theoretical approaches to understand the statistical physics of living systems. You will use approaches grounded in equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical physics, information theory, and soft condensed matter physics. Your work will be performed in close collaboration with several experimental groups. Finally, you will also play a role in supervising students and the tutorial classes in our teaching program.

• MSc Degree in Physics
• Preferably with a background in theoretical physics, statistical, soft or biological physics
• Experience with using inference/machine learning tools and basic programming is a plus

During your PhD, you will be trained over a broad range of skills to function as an independent scientist. We offer a challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile 'Promovendus' is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance)
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means working together with students, PhD candidates and scientists who are focused on their discipline, yet also have a broad view of the world. We are proud of the collegial working environment within the faculty, which is characterised by an ambitious and pragmatic attitude with commitment to the bigger picture. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from genetics to pharmaceuticals and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research cover the full breadth of the natural sciences. Scientific teaching and research is highly experimental, technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature. This is why we collaborate extensively with leading research institutes and industry. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying across 40 educational programmes and employs over 1,600 staff spread over 10 scientific departments, making us the largest science faculty in the Netherlands.

About the department, institute, project
The Section for Physics of Living Systems within the Physics department at the VU Amsterdam, one of the best universities in the Netherlands, and a leading scientific institution in biophysics located in the vibrant and international city of Amsterdam. Our team is an inclusive and diverse environment, welcoming excellent students from all backgrounds. We offer a stimulating and collaborative environment in the physics of life. Phd students in our group have the opportunity to learn from the best scientists in the field, publish in high-impact journals, and present their work at international conferences.