Available positions/projects

We currently have 4 positions available!

PhD Position 1: STED Super-resolution microscopy of cell division to reveal early cellular mechanisms (1.0 FTE)

Note: the fixed deadline for application is 21 March 2025, 13:00 (CEST)

Key words: STED microscopy, archaea, cell division, biophysics

Requirements: MSc in Physics, (nano) Biology or a related discipline. Experience with light microscopy is an advantage. Affinity for wet-lab work, and experience in general programming (Python) and optics are desirable. NO stay in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the past. For questions feel free to contact us at r.vlijm rug.nl .

Apply: https://evolve-programme.eu/apply/

Job description

You will have the following main responsibilities and tasks:

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

We are studying how protein structures change during cell division with STED microscopy. By doing so in a range of organisms, including archaea, we aim to discover early cellular mechanisms.

ESCRT-III proteins form supramolecular structures that are essential for membrane remodelling processes across the tree of life. In archaea and eukaryotes, the ESCRT-III proteins assemble into polymers that cut membrane tubes together with Vps4, an AAA–ATPase. Hereby biological processes such as membrane repair and cell division are driven. So the ESCRT-III complex and Vps4 are key players in cellular processes and understanding their roles shed light on early cellular mechanisms and the evolution of life, both in archaea as well as in eukaryotes. The presence of ESCRT-III and Vps4 in archaea suggests that these proteins were part of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) of archaea and eukaryotes.

While membrane remodelling in general and cell division in particular are such dynamic processes, visualising the protein dynamics at relevant length scales is not trivial. The dynamic interplay occurs at length scales much smaller than the diffraction limit of light, and thus beyond the reach of traditional microscopes. STED (stimulated emission depletion) super-resolution microscopy allows imaging with a resolution of ~30 nm, even in living cells. In this project STED microscopy on living cells will be performed to determine the subcellular organisation of the ESCRT-III polymers during cell division and what the role of Vps4 is in this process. In addition, atomic force microscopy experiments will be performed in the lab of Wouter Roos in order to obtain a molecular level detailed picture of the activity of ESCRT-III and Vps4. To conclude, by this combined approach the roles of these proteins in membrane remodelling and cell division will be elucidated thereby providing essential clues about the evolution of cellular complexity and the origin of life.

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 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.

PhD Position 2: Automated STED microscopy (1.0 FTE)

Deadline for application: May 31, 2025

Key words: STED microscopy, high-throughput, machine learning

Requirements: MSc in Physics, Computer science or related discipline. Experience with light microscopy data is an advantage.

Apply: r.vlijm <at> rug.nl

Positions 3&4: Super resolution microscopy to investigate how disordered proteins ensure highly selective transport in nuclear pore complexes and peroxisomes

Deadline for application: July 8, 2025

Grant: https://www.rug.nl/research/zernike/news/newsitems/202412-onck-xl?lang=en

We are looking for a PhD, Postdoc and/or technician

Information: r.vlijm <at> rug.nl

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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.