PhD position in Biophysics

Job description

The Heinemann Lab at the University of Groningen (Netherlands) aims to understand how cellular metabolism functions and how metabolism controls other cellular processes.

The lab has recently found that cellular metabolism does not operate beyond a certain Gibbs energy dissipation rate (Niebel et al, 2019, Nature Metabolism). This observation could explain why cancer cells use a particular mode of metabolism. We are now highly interested to uncover the molecular mechanism that is responsible for this thermodynamic limit. Here, we hypothesize that enzymes during their catalysis get actively displaced in space, inducing increased molecular motion in the cell and mixing up the cytoplasm. We have described this hypothesis in a recent perspective article (Losa et al, 2022, Molecular Systems Biology).

In this project, we like to explore the above mentioned hypothesis. To this end, we will use the bacterium E. coli as a model and will perform highly sophisticated experiments with super-resolution microscopy and dynamic particle tracking techniques to measure diffusion rates in cells. Furthermore, in model-based experimental analyses, we aim to determine the Gibbs energy dissipation rates under different metabolic conditions. Together, this will hopefully give us further insights.

Exploring how an active metabolism as an out-of-equilibrium system induces intracellular motion is not only a great scientific adventure, with the potential to open up a new avenue how dynamic cellular metabolism might control cellular processes (i.e. through motion), but it also harbors significant potential for medicine and biotechnology, where metabolism plays a key role.

Qualifications

The candidate needs to have a Master degree.

The two most important selection criteria for this position are (i) the "motivation" and (ii) the "creativity" of the candidate. With the right motivation, everything can be learned, meaning that the candidate does not need any particular prior skills/qualifications besides having a Master degree in any of the above mentioned disciplines. Our lab members come from many different disciplines and we have a great culture of learning and teaching each other.

This project has a focus on biophysical experiments (e.g. single-particle tracking microscopy). No specific prior experience in these experimental techniques is required, as there is sufficient expertise present in the lab, offering an opportunity to learn these techniques. We are convinced that excellent candidates with the right motivation can learn everything.

Organisation

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• A salary of € 2,872 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,670 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus
• A full-time position (1.0 FTE). The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years.
• Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.
• A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.