PhD Position Constructing and Testing Synthetic Genomes for Synthetic Cells

Building a synthetic cell is one of the greatest scientific and technological challenges of the 21st century. Join the EVOLF consortium to contribute to the bottom-up construction of Synthetic Cells

Job description

In the large EVOLF research consortium, 31 research groups across the Netherlands join forces to construct bottom-up synthetic cells. It is estimated that synthetic cells will need two to five hundred proteins to supply energy and building blocks, and to assemble these blocks into living cells able to divide. These functionalities will have to be encoded in a genome, in the form of a synthetic chromosome of several hundred kilobases.

In the past decade, the development of Synthetic Genomics has shown that synthetic chromosomes can be constructed for a wide variety of hosts (bacteria, algae, etc…). However construction of chromosomes for synthetic cells comes with several new challenges. Within EVOLF, a team of researchers located at the TU Delft, in the Biotechnology Department, will focus on assembling and testing the modular, combinatorial construction of synthetic chromosomes and on optimizing their expression in a cell-free system that will serve as starting point for synthetic cells.

This PhD position will more precisely focus on consolidating the bakers' yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as foundry for synthetic genomes. This project will be performed in tight collaboration with another PhD candidate, a postdoctoral fellow and a technician who will establish a mid-throughput pipeline combining in vitro and in vivo (in yeast) chromosome assembly.

Job requirements

We are looking for oustanding and enthusiastic biologists with:

• A background in the area of biochemistry, bioengineering, molecular biology or comparable.
• A strong affinity with experimental work and preferably some hands-on experience in molecular biology and genetics.
• Excellent verbal and writen communication skills in English.
• A strong affinity with teamwork, who thrives in an international, ambitious, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment.

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.

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.