PhD Position Coupling Sensing to Intracellular Organization in Synthetic Cells

Join a cutting-edge research team and vibrant consortium to experimentally explore how synthetic cells dynamically respond to external signals.

Job description

To sense, a (synthetic) cell needs to dynamically convert an external signal into a change in its internal organization, where the external signal can be a molecule but also a protein displayed on the surface of another synthetic cell. Here, you will experimentally investigate how to optimize the coupling of a transmembrane sensor, which detects an external signal, to a regulatory module, which amplifies this signal into a polarized internal cellular organization, thereby externally setting an axis for cell division or to differentiate cells for synthetic tissues.

You will use various experimental techniques: you will encapsulate the regulatory module in vesicles, integrate signal-sensing components, and analyze the system’s responsiveness through fluorescence microscopy. You will be part of the Laan Lab, and work closely together with the experimental groups of Kristina Ganzinger at AMOLF in Amsterdam and Gijsje Koenderink at the TU Delft, who are all part of EVOLF. EVOLF (evolving life from non-life) is a large, highly collaborative, national consortium, with 31 research groups that together study if, and how, we can create living cells (synthetic cells) from lifeless molecules. You will combine your experimental findings with computer simulations in collaboration with the group of Jos Zwanikken at TU Delft. Your work will enhance understanding of signal-induced polarization in synthetic cells.

Requirements

We are looking for an experimentalist, with a background in (bio)physics or quantitative biology, who is eager to combine microscopy, wetlab work and data analysis and has a keen interest in synthetic biology. We are a highly collaborative research group that likes to work on challenging and ambitious problems, that typically combine experiments with computational work. We expect the candidate to be a team-player, to have an independent and well-organized work style, to be communicative and creative, and to contribute to our open, interactive, and social lab culture.

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.

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.