Postdoc position: Unraveling the life cycle of Weibel-Palade Bodies in disease using multi-beam volume electron microscopy
In multi-beam electron microscopy (EM), a sample is scanned by tens of beams instead of the single beam in a traditional electron microscope. The increased throughput of multi-beam EM enables large-scale and volume microscopy and identification of rare events or different stages in a dynamic process. In this PostDoc project, our aim is to visualize the life-cycle of Weibel-Palade Bodies (WPBs) in the context of disease using multi-beam EM (FAST-EM) with correlative fluorescence light microscopy of patient-derived endothelial cells.
WPBs are ~1-5 µm-long rod-shaped secretory organelles that store the hemostatic protein Von Willebrand factor (VWF). Following vascular injury endothelial cells (ECs) immediately release large quantities of VWF into the circulation. Low circulating levels of VWF increase the risk of bleeding, such as in Von Willebrand disease, while elevated levels of VWF are associated with elevated risk of thrombosis. The composition and 3D architecture of WPB during fusion and secretion of VWF have thus far remained unclear. This is mainly because traditional electron microscopy approaches have been unable to reliably capture rare events and perform 3D analysis. As a Postdoc operating in a unique collaboration between TU Delft and Erasmus Medical Center, you will tackle this issue with the high-throughput multibeam FAST-EM developed at TU Delft.
You will work at both the Bierings group at Erasmus MC and the Hoogenboom group at TU Delft. You will start by implement our existing and published FAST-EM array tomography workflow for high-volume high-resolution mapping of WPBs in cultured endothelial cells.
Initial setup with endothelial cells (ECFCs) from healthy donors. When successful this will be extended to ECFCs derived from patients, e.g. with VWF trafficking defects (VWD, Storage pool disease, etc) and to ECs in which specific proteins of interest are depleted via shRNA or CRISPR targeting. You will then capture WPB trafficking events using fluorescence-guided high resolution EM imaging. WPBs and endolysosomal organelles will be labeled using fluorescent reporters or fluorophore-labeled antibodies. Finally, after succesful EM, you will work on segmentation, annotation and analysis of organelles in endothelial cells. We will train a convolutional neural network (based on U-net, e.g. similar to MitoNet that we used before on FAST-EM data) to automatically segment organelles from FAST-EM imaging data, with a focus on WPBs, endolysosomal compartments and vesicles of the ER-Golgi pathway. While you are expected to be actively involved in all aspects of the researc, expertise and support for all steps of sample preparation, EM acquisition and data reconstruction, and segmentation is available in both groups via technicians and PhD student on related projects.
You are a highly motivated and talented researcher with a strong interest in electron microscopy for life sciences and the development and application of novel methodology. You enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary environment at the interface of bio-medical research and instrument development and innovation, implementing new techniques to achieve tangible results. Embracing the opportunity to work with leading industrial partners, you know how to collaborate and achieve meaningful results geared to the development of pragmatic applications. You also put your curiosity to good use: you don’t take anomalies for granted and take the initiative to dig deeper and spar with experts. Harnessing your communication skills, you convince colleagues at TU Delft and Delmic of your approach, models and programs. And you enjoy interacting with and coaching talented bachelor and master students, while expanding your own knowledge and competencies.
You also have:
- PhD degree in Molecular Biology, (Applied) Physics, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrable skills in electron microscopy for life sciences, such as cellular EM, volume EM, or cryo-EM.
- A solid understanding and proven expertise in Python and the use of computational techniques, preferably neural networks, for data analysis and segmentation.
- Excellent communiction skills, connecting easily with people of diverse scientific backgrounds and being able to bridge research groups at two different locations.
- A proactive and curious mindset, with the ability to explore complex problems independently and collaboratively.
- A good command of spoken and written English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community. You will also write scientific articles and your dissertation in English and participate in English-taught courses.
- An enthusiasm for coaching bachelor, master, and PhD students, and for presenting your work in scientific articles and international conferences.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 2 years. Temporary.
- A job of 36-40 hours per week.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Flexible working week.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. Jacob Hoogenboom (j.p.hoogenboom@tudelft.nl).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 7 May 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- Detailed CV
- Motivational letter
You can address your application to prof. Jacob Hoogenboom.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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