We are always looking for talented and enthusiastic members whose research interests are strongly aligned with ours. Please send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to us if you are interested for a position in our group.
Click here to see open projects for BSc / MSc students.
Currently open positions for PhD students and postdocs
Building a synthetic cell is one of the greatest scientific and technological challenges of the 21st century. Currently, we have a PhD position available for a biophysicist and one for a bioengineer/biochemist in the Membrane Enzymology Group of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The PhD positions are for 4 years and the gross salary increases from € 3.059 in year 1 to € 3.881 in year 4.
Biophysics PhD position
The project aims to reconstitute key cellular functions in cell-like systems and quantitatively dissect their behavior using advanced biophysical approaches. A central component of the work will involve state-of-the-art single-molecule optical microscopy, complemented by techniques such as microfluidics, spectroscopy, and/or force-based measurements. This interdisciplinary project combines molecular biology, soft-matter physics, and quantitative imaging to uncover the fundamental principles governing cellular organization and dynamics.
Bioengineer/biochemist PhD position
The project aims to engineer synthetic cells capable of sustained biochemical activity and to explore their interactions with living cells or within synthetic cell communities. Particular emphasis will be placed on communication, signal transduction, and the exchange of metabolites or molecular signals between compartments. This interdisciplinary research combines synthetic biology, biochemical reconstitution, and systems-level analysis to advance our understanding of collective behaviors in minimal cell-like systems.
For more information about the positions you can contact Bert Poolman at b.poolman@rug.nl