PhD Position Interaction between Macromolecules and Vesicles

Do you want to understand how life works at the molecular scale by helping us study and design methods for deforming and dividing synthetic cells?

Job description
Artificial cells need to be able to grow and symmetrically divide. To do so, the membrane that forms the cell boundary needs to undergo a major deformation, while at the same time the content of the cell must be duplicated and divided. We will study if and how these two processes can mutually enhance each other. We will employ a combination of analytical modeling, molecular dynamics simulations and machine-learning techniques to find optimal conditions for an integrated system to grow and divide.

This project is part of the EVOLF (evolving life from non-life) consortium, in which we work together with 31 research groups to study if and how we can create living cells from lifeless molecules. In this theoretical project, we will collaborate closely with experimental and theoretical groups both inside and outside the department.

The position is in the theoretical biophysics group of Dr. Timon Idema in the Department of Bionanoscience. We're a small but enthousiastic group with a lot of expertise on both the analytical and numerical study of membrane physics. To ensure sufficient interactions and exchange of ideas, we have joint meetings with the other theory groups in the department, and with the experimental groups we collaborate with.

Requirements
We seek an outstanding theoretical (bio)physicist with a strong affinity for research at the interface of physics and biology and with relevant research experience in fields such as membrane, molecular, or cell biophysics or soft matter physics. We are looking for a candidate with a high level of intellectual creativity, genuine interest in fundamental research, who enjoys collaborations and easily communicates with scientists from different disciplines.

Applicants must

• Hold a Master’s degree, or approach its completion, in physics, mathematics, nanobiology, chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Have excellent written and spoken English skills (see below).
• Thrive in an international, ambitious, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

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!

Faculty Applied Sciences
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
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Timon Idema T.Idema@tudelft.nl. You can find more information about our lab on our website: idemalab.tudelft.nl.     

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 13 December 2024 via the application button and upload:

• Your detailed CV,
• A motivation letter that briefly describes why you apply for this position, your research interests, and your fit to the group,
• Names and email addresses of at least 2 references.

Please note:

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure.
  (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines)
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.