Available positions/projects

PhD position in biophysics: Cell division at the nanoscale (1.0 FTE)

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a biophysics background. The aim of this PhD project is to develop (live-cell) STED super resolution microscopy methods to visualize how the DNA copies are separated during cell division. Affinity for wet-lab work, and experience in general programming (Python) and optics are desirable. For questions feel free to contact us at r.vlijm rug.nl .

Job description

You will have the following main responsibilities and tasks:

• develop protocols for optimal labelling of cell-division proteins for STED and expansion microscopy
• develop image analysis algorithms using Python
• investigate minimal impact imaging protocols.

We are studying how protein structures change during cell division with STED microscopy. Cell division is a very dynamic process, and errors in this phase of the cell cycle have far-reaching consequences. Visualizing the protein dynamics at relevant scales is not trivial, as the dynamical interplay is at scales much smaller than the diffraction limit of light, and thus beyond the reach of traditional microscopes. STED microscopy however does allow imaging with a resolution of 30-40 nanometres even in living cells. In fixed cells, the combination with STED and expansion microscopy even reaches better resolutions. To successfully study this dynamic process is challenging. With your biophysics background, and affinity for programming and wet-lab work, you are the ideal fit to lift our research to another level! The work will be diverse, including (live-cell) sample preparation, protocol optimization, measurements and software development for data analysis. You will work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment with local colleagues and international collaborators from physics, biomolecular sciences, and informatics.

Qualifications

You have/are: a European Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physics, biophysics, nanoscience or biomedical engineering an excellent track record highly motivated and able to work in a multidisciplinary and international work environment excellent communication skills in both oral and written English experience in programming (e.g. python, …). Experience in (cell)biology is highly appreciated but not required.

More information on this position, as well as the application form, can be found here.

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MSc and BSc projects

We are always looking for talented Master and Bachelor students to work on the truly interdisciplinary research in our lab. Are you interested and do you have a background in (bio)physics, nanoscience, (bio)informatics, life sciences or a related area’s? Contact Rifka Vlijm to discuss possible projects and the involved methods and skills you can learn, while working on them.