PhD position 2 Systems Biology (1.0 FTE) in Groningen

Department

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Organisation

University of Groningen

The Molecular Systems Biology group at the University of Groningen (Netherlands) has an opening for an enthusiastic and talented PhD position. The University of Groningen, located in the north of The Netherlands, enjoys an international reputation as one of the oldest and leading research universities in Europe (position at rank 80 (worldwide) in the recent Times Higher Education Ranking).

The Molecular Systems Biology group aims at generating a systems-level understanding about the functioning of metabolism (Prof Matthias Heinemann) and of growth regulation by TOR in budding yeast (Dr Andreas Milias-Argeitis). Towards these goals, the group members combine classical and systems biology approaches exploiting latest state-of-the-art single cell technologies (such as microfluidics and optogenetics).

Job description

How does the metabolic oscillator influence the eukaryotic cell cycle?
We recently found that metabolism in yeast is an oscillator, which even seems to exert cell cycle control. The next challenge is now to identify the nature of this oscillator and to unravel the molecular connection to the cell cycle machinery. To address these challenges, we will use microfluidics, time-lapse microscopy, optogenetic tools and mathematical modeling to untangle the intricate interaction between these oscillators. Tools and methods: microscopy, microfluidics, flow cytometry, optogenetics, modeling.

Together, the members of the international and interdisciplinary team (i.e. PhD students and postdocs with backgrounds in biology, engineering, physics and mathematics) create an inspiring research atmosphere, on whose ground we recently published a number of high profile stories:

Prof. Matthias Heinemann:
• Papagiannakis et al. (2017) Autonomous Metabolic Oscillations Robustly Gate the Early and Late Cell Cycle. Mol Cell. 65:285-295
• Radzikowski et al. (2016) Bacterial persistence is an active σS stress response to metabolic flux limitation. Mol Syst Biol. 12:882
• Kochanowski K et al. (2013) Functioning of a metabolic flux sensor in Escherichia coli. PNAS. 110, 1130-5.

Requirements

The project can largely be shaped by the applicant. Excellent and highly motivated candidates can have a background in either biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics or engineering. Ideally, candidates with only wet lab experience would also get into mathematical modeling, and candidates with only modeling/computational experience would also perform experiments. The candidates should have good command of English (oral and written) and possess good communication and excellent collaboration skills.

Conditions of employment

Contract length: 48 months.

The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2,222 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of € 2,840 gross per month in the final year (salary scale Dutch Universities), based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE) excluding a 8% holiday allowance and a 8.3% end of the year bonus.
The position offered is for four years. Each 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 contract period 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 the Faculty. The conditions of employment are available at the University of Groningen website under Human Resources: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

Application
You may apply for this position until 15 May 2018 23.59h / before 16 May 2018 Dutch local time, by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

The application should contain:
1. a CV (CV attachment)
2. information about grades and other measures of success (extra attachment)
3. two letters of recommendation (these can also be emailed directly to a.milias.argeitis@rug.nl)
4. a statement on how the candidate’s prior experience/expertise could be connected to one of the above mentioned project (letter of motivation attachment).

Start date: as soon as possible

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Additional information