Postdoc in interdisciplinary biophysics

We are looking for

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated postdoc in interdisciplinary biophysics to advance our newly developed single-molecule technique for protein detection: the NEOtrap = Nanopore Electro-Osmotic trap.

What are you going to do?
In this fully-funded 2-3year project, you will:

• be embedded in a communicative interdisciplinary team and in a larger Dutch consortium among the universities at Wageningen, Groningen, and Delft.
• build upon our single-protein studies and design new NEOtrap and nanopore experiments.
• expand your skillset by studying a range of exciting protein systems with a new label-free nanopore technique and others, including single-molecule FRET/fluorescence.
• You will develop/apply data analysis routines using pattern recognition approaches as needed.
• You will have the opportunity to obtain teaching experience and improve your leadership skills while guiding students.

About the project:

The NEOtrap is formed by a DNA-origami structure docked onto a nanopore to (i) form a nanoscale cavity, and (ii) induce an electro-osmotic trapping potential. This allows us to sense the behaviour of a single protein over time, similar to smFRET or optical/magnetic tweezers. The big advantage is however that the NEOtrap works label-free using native proteins, plus it is not limited by photo-bleaching, and does not rely on mechanical unfolding. The NEOtrap is further unique, in that it covers up to 8 orders in time (microseconds to hours), which is ideal to detect the broad range dynamics observed in proteins. The NEOtrap has already proven to distinguish not only proteins of different molecular weight, but even nucleotide-dependent conformations of the same protein, which demonstrates excellent sensitivity thus opening the way for many exciting next steps including electrical detection of protein dynamics, enzymatic reactions, protein fingerprinting, electro-optical combinations etc.

We ask

For this innovative, interdisciplinary, and NWO-funded project, we are looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher, with:

• a PhD in Physics, biochemistry or related disciplines.
• a strong background in one or several of the following fields: experience in single-molecule experiments, protein biophysics, nanofluidics/nanopore detection, single-molecule FRET, advanced data analysis and pattern recognition.
• an independent, well-organized and reliable work style.
• good communicative skills and a strong interest in the broader field of single-molecule biophysics, thereby contributing to our open and interactive lab culture.

It goes without saying that we look for friendly and driven colleagues of all kind to enrich our team.

Wewould like to welcome the new team member by January 1st 2023

(with some flexibility)

.
We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 2.960,- and € 4.670,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the

Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)

(scale 10).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Sonja Schmid, Assistant professor by e-mail sonja.schmid@wur.nl .
For more information about the procedure, please contact Emma Langelaan, HR Adviser, by e-mail emma.langelaan@wur.nl .

Do you want to apply?        
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Please include a motivation letter, CV, and email addresses of 3 references.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including October 31st , 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews early november 2022.

Equal opportunities 
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

We are

At the NanoDynamicsLab , we are an ambitious interdisciplinary group of people with backgrounds ranging from physics to biochemistry, which creates a stimulating atmosphere where everybody learns from each other. What bonds us together is the fascination for ‘things that move at the nanoscale’ , and the drive to understand and control how life emerges from biomolecular dynamics. To this end, we collaborate with several groups in-house at WUR, within the thriving biophysics community in The Netherlands, and beyond. As we work in a highly communicative way, you are invited to send your further questions straight to Sonja Schmid or other members of the group.

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.