Positions
PhD Position (4 years)
Engineering Ion-Selective and Ligand-Gated Biological Nanopores for Neuromorphic Computing
Maglia Lab, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), University of Groningen
Part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network MORPHEOS • Start: January 2027 • Duration: 36 months (3-year MSCA contract; 4th year of PhD completion supported by RUG)
About MORPHEOS
MORPHEOS (“neuroMORPHic fluidic circuits Enabled by artificial iOn channelS”) is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network bringing together 9 leading academic institutions and 2 high-tech companies across 6 European countries to develop the next generation of hybrid nanopore technology for neuromorphic (‘brain-inspired’) computing. The network will train 15 Doctoral Candidates in a unique combination of nanofabrication, nanofluidics, ion-channel biology, molecular simulation and neuromorphic engineering, working towards the first fluidic neuromorphic circuit built from artificial ion channels.
Doctoral Candidates in MORPHEOS benefit from a structured, cross-institutional training programme, international secondments at partner labs and companies, dedicated transferable-skills and entrepreneurship training, and membership in a highly interdisciplinary European research community.
The position in Groningen
The University of Groningen (RUG) is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the group of Prof. Giovanni Maglia at the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), Department of Chemical Biology, starting in January 2027. The Maglia lab is a world-leading group in biological nanopore engineering and single-molecule analysis, with expertise spanning nanopore electro-osmotic transport, nanopore enzymology and nanopore-based protein/peptide sequencing.
Your project focuses on developing biological nanopores and ion channels with tailored ion selectivity and memristive (switch-like, history-dependent) behaviour, and on embedding them, reproducibly and at scale, into arrays of solid-state supported membranes – the biological ‘front end’ of the MORPHEOS neuromorphic device.
What you will do
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Engineer ion-selective biological nanopores selective for individual ions (e.g. Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻), aided by computational design in collaboration with partner groups.
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Develop gated, ligand-responsive channels by reconstituting cellular receptors or introducing binding elements that switch nanopore conductance in response to specific molecules.
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Build a reproducible platform integrating nanopores and ion channels into synthetic membranes (block copolymers and lipids) supported on arrays of solid-state wells — aiming at arrays of hundreds to thousands of membranes mimicking the properties of excitable cells.
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Collaborate closely with fellow Doctoral Candidates across the network on membrane integration, solid-state device fabrication and computational modelling.
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Complete two research secondments abroad: at CSIC/IMSE-CNM (Seville, Spain) to engage with neuromorphic computing and device modelling, and at Inserm/Institut de Neurosciences (Marseille, France) to test the resulting device on neuroscience-inspired problems.
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Publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals and present your work at international conferences and MORPHEOS network events.
What we are looking for
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A Master's degree (or equivalent, to be completed before the start date) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Bionanotechnology, or a related field. -
A strong interest in protein/membrane biochemistry and interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, chemistry and nanotechnology; prior experience with protein expression/purification, membrane proteins or single-molecule techniques is an advantage but not required.
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Willingness to work in a highly interdisciplinary, international network and to travel for secondments and network events.
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Good communication skills in English (written and spoken), and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
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Curiosity, creativity and a proactive, critical approach to research.
Eligibility (MSCA Doctoral Network rules)
This position is funded under Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks and subject to standard MSCA eligibility criteria for Doctoral Candidates:
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At the recruitment date, you must not have already been awarded a doctoral degree.
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Mobility rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.
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You may be of any nationality.
What we offer
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A fully-funded, 4-year PhD position, with the first 36 months funded through the MSCA Doctoral Network (living, mobility and, where applicable, family allowances paid according to official Horizon Europe MSCA rates) and the 4th year funded by the University of Groningen.
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Membership in an ambitious, highly interdisciplinary European training network of 15 Doctoral Candidates, with dedicated courses, workshops and symposia.
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Two fully-funded international research secondments (Spain and France).
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Access to state-of-the-art molecular biology, protein engineering/purification and single-molecule nanopore facilities at the Maglia lab, plus structural biology (cryo-EM, crystallography) infrastructure at RUG.
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Supervision by Prof. Giovanni Maglia and close collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners across the MORPHEOS consortium.
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A stimulating, inclusive and international research environment in Groningen, the Netherlands.
How to apply
Please submit your application including (1) a motivation letter, (2) a full CV, (3) a copy of your MSc (or BSc, if not yet completed) transcripts, and (4) the contact details of two references
to chembio rug.nl.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and, for the strongest candidates, a visit to the Maglia lab in Groningen. The position has a planned start date of January 2027.
For informal enquiries about the project,
please contact Prof. Giovanni Maglia (g.maglia rug.nl).
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Postdoctoral Position
Hybrid and De Novo-Designed Nanopores for Single-Molecule Protein Sensing
Maglia Lab, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), University of Groningen
Part of a Strategic Basic Research (SBO) consortium with VUB-VIB Center for Structural Biology and imec
About the project
This postdoctoral position is part of a multidisciplinary consortium project bringing together three partners at the forefront of nanopore science: the Vorobieva lab at the VUB-VIB Center for Structural Biology (Brussels), a pioneer in the de novo computational design of membrane proteins and nanopores from physical principles; the group of Prof. Giovanni Maglia at the University of Groningen, a world leader in biological nanopore engineering and single-molecule protein/peptide analysis; and imec (Leuven), a global leader in solid-state nanopore fabrication and hybrid nanopore-electronic integration.
Together, the consortium aims to combine de novo protein design, biological nanopore sensing and solid-state nanofabrication into a new generation of hybrid nanopore sensors for single-molecule protein and peptide analysis.
The position in Groningen
The Maglia lab at the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB) is looking for a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead the Groningen contribution to this project. The lab has pioneered single-molecule nanopore enzymology and the use of electro-osmotic flow for sequencing proteins, and has extensive experience engineering biological nanopores for protein and peptide sensing, including nanobody-functionalised nanopores, nanopore peptide spectroscopy, and detection of proteins directly in biological fluids.
You will work at the interface of the consortium's expertise, engineering and characterising biological and hybrid nanopores for single-molecule protein/peptide sensing, and integrating de novo-designed pores (from VUB-VIB) and/or solid-state elements (from imec) into functional sensing platforms.
What you will do
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Engineer and characterise biological nanopores for the detection, identification and analysis of proteins and peptides, building on the Maglia lab's nanopore sensing and electro-osmotic sequencing platforms.
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Collaborate with VUB-VIB to test, validate and adapt de novo-designed protein nanopores for functional single-molecule sensing applications.
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Collaborate with imec on the integration of biological/de novo nanopores with solid-state platforms towards scalable, hybrid nanopore devices.
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Design and perform single-molecule experiments (electrical recordings, possibly combined with optical/fluorescence readouts) to characterise pore behaviour and sensing performance.
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Contribute to project management and valorisation activities alongside the consortium partners, including reporting to the funding body and engagement with industrial stakeholders.
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Publish and present your findings in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences, and contribute to supervising PhD students and junior lab members.
What we are looking for
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A PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bionanotechnology or a related field, completed or nearly completed.
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Demonstrated experience with protein engineering, expression and purification; experience with membrane proteins, ion channels or nanopores is a strong advantage.
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Experience with single-molecule biophysical techniques (e.g. electrical/electrophysiological recordings, single-channel analysis, fluorescence-based single-molecule methods) is highly desirable.
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A strong record of scientific output relative to career stage (publications, conference contributions).
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Willingness to collaborate closely with partner labs in Brussels (VUB-VIB) and Leuven (imec), including travel for joint experiments and consortium meetings.
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Good written and spoken English; strong communication, organisational and mentoring skills.
What we offer
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A fully-funded postdoctoral position within an ambitious, cross-disciplinary consortium spanning computational protein design, biological nanopore science and solid-state nanofabrication.
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The opportunity to work at the interface of academia and applied/industrial nanopore technology, with a direct line to valorisation partners.
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Access to the Maglia lab's molecular biology, protein engineering/purification and single-molecule nanopore facilities, as well as RUG's structural biology infrastructure (cryo-EM, crystallography).
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Close collaboration with the Vorobieva lab (VUB-VIB) and imec, two of Europe's leading groups in de novo protein design and solid-state nanopore fabrication respectively.
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A stimulating, international research environment in Groningen, the Netherlands.
How to apply
Please submit your application including (1) a motivation letter, (2) a full CV with publication list, and (3) the contact details of two references
to chembio rug.nl.
For informal enquiries about the project,
please contact Prof. Giovanni Maglia (g.maglia rug.nl).