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.
Click here to see open projects for bachelor/masters 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. In the framework of a huge national Dutch program (EVOLF, https://www.evolf.life) and a European Doctorate network (ComeInCell, https://www.comeincell.org), we have 12 PhD/Postdoc positions available for biophysicists, bioengineers, biochemists, and molecular biologist at the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (https://www.rug.nl/research/gbb) of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
The positions are available in five different research groups for either computational or experimental research: (i) to experimentally reconstruct reaction networks for metabolic energy and synthesis of cellular building blocks; (ii) to build synthetic cell-like systems for autonomous operation and growth, or (iii) to develop computational models at different levels of complexity to generate designs of synthetic cells.
Within the Membrane Enzymology group we have the following vacancies for PhD students and postdocs:
Position 1:
Design and construction of reaction networks. We will integrate in bacteria-size vesicles metabolic modules essential for life. Further reading: doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52085-z
Position 2:
Membrane expansion in synthetic cells. We will expand the membrane of cell-like systems through the coupling of lipid transport to lipid synthesis and volume regulation. Further reading: doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00073
Position 3:
Evolution and integration of metabolic modules. We will evolve and couple reaction networks through genome design, selection, performance screening and AI. Further reading: doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3990950/v1
Position 4:
Compartmentalization and spatial distribution of reaction networks in synthetic cells. We will exploit the properties of biomolecular condensates to enhance the efficiency of reaction networks for fuel supply and building block synthesis. Further reading: doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-06216-3
Position 5:
Membrane expansion with condensates. We will combine active membrane expansion with the expression of synthetic RNA condensates to engineer complex re-structuring events such as engulfment, exocytosis, membrane rupture and/or fission. Further reading: doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abd7697
To apply for one (or more) of the positions, email a CV including a brief description of your motivation, research interests and accomplishments to EVOLF [at] RUG [dot] NL, and include two letters of recommendation from former advisors/professors. The recommendation letters can also be sent directly by your former advisors. Please indicate for which position(s) you apply. Application deadline: December 1, 2024.