This web page lists the various positions available within the NMR Spectroscopy Research Department
Description of the Faculty / Research group
The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics and Chemistry. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research.
The NMR Research Group is part of the Chemistry Department and belongs to the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research. A major research line (headed by Prof.Dr. Marc Baldus) concerns the development and application of solid-state NMR (ssNMR) methods in a biomolecular context. In contrast to other biophysical methods, ssNMR techniques can be used to study atomic structure even if molecules are not soluble or crystalline.
Correspondingly, ssNMR offers new possibilities to study complex biomolecules such as membrane protein assemblies and Amyloid proteins in a biologically relevant context. We are working in these fields of research and collaborate with internationally leading groups at Utrecht University and abroad.
Recently, we have obtained (NWO Groot) funding to install high-sensitivity NMR technologies at our laboratory.
We are looking to fill the position of:
PhD Researcher in solid-state NMR: Ultra-high sensitivity NMR on protein machines in a cellular(-like) state
Job description
You will be part of a team working on the development and application of high-sensitivity NMR methods for the study of protein complexes in a cellular-like environment. You will employ dedicated and internationally unique NMR instruments that will enhance spectroscopic sensitivity by two orders of magnitude. Your studies will target protein machines that regulate elementary aspects of signal transduction and protein folding in a cellular setting. Using NMR, you will map conformational states of a membrane protein en route to its native folded state or during function in response to changes in the physiochemical environment. These experiments will allow you to obtain a comprehensive map of the conformational landscape of such a biomolecular machine in a native-like environment. Such information is of vital relevance to understand cellular viability and function and offers unprecedented structural insight at the interface of structural and cellular biology. The position is funded by a research (VICI) grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to Prof. Dr. M. Baldus.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have a Master's or equivalent degree in chemistry, physics, or biology with a general interest in biophysics and spectroscopy. Experience in NMR or a related spectroscopic method is desirable.
Terms of employment
The candidate is offered a full-time position for 4 years.
The salary starts at € 2.042.- and increases to € 2.612.- gross per month in the fourth year and is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year
In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.
More information: terms of employment
Further details
For further information contact Prof. Dr. Marc Baldus (Phone: +31-30-2533801 Fax: +31-30-2537623 Email: m.baldus@uu.nl.
How to apply
Please send your application (including a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and contact details of at least two references) before April 15, 2011 to email: Science.PenO@uu.nl
Please mention vacancy number 65102.
Description of the Faculty / Research group
The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics and Chemistry. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research.
The NMR Research Group is part of the Chemistry Department (http://www.chem.uu.nl) and belongs to the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research (http://www.bijvoet-center.nl). A major research line (headed by Prof.Dr. Marc Baldus) concerns the development and application of solid-state NMR (ssNMR) methods in a biomolecular context. In contrast to other biophysical methods, ssNMR techniques can be used to study atomic structure even if molecules are not soluble or crystalline. Correspondingly, ssNMR offers new possibilities to study complex biomolecules such as protein assemblies and Amyloid proteins in a biologically relevant context. We are working in these fields of research and collaborate with internationally leading groups at Utrecht University and abroad. Additional information on our work and regarding ongoing projects can be found at our website.
Currently, we are searching for a Postdoc
Job description
Increasing evidence suggests that protein structure and function is strongly influenced by the surrounding molecular, eventually cellular environment. Solid-state NMR is an ideal method to investigate such heterogeneous samples and has made significant progress in determining three-dimensional protein structures. Yet, additional efforts are needed to streamline the 3D structure determination process and to relate data to the surrounding molecules. As a postdoc, you will be working in the ssNMR team to develop high-resolution methods to infer structural information in complex systems such as membrane proteins or cellular preparations. For this purpose, you will combine current ssNMR structure determination concepts with advanced labeling and computational biology techniques. Initial studies on all relevant aspects have already been published by the Baldus group. These experiments will create a novel means to study elementary biomolecular processes in high spatial and temporal resolution with direct implications for understanding cellular functioning and disease. The position is funded by a research grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to Prof. Dr. M. Baldus.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in chemistry, physics, or biology with a general interest in biophysics and spectroscopy. Experience in NMR, in particular solid-state NMR, is desirable.
Terms of employment
The position on this project is available for a maximum of three years. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience and ranges from ?2802.- to ?3678.- gross per month (salary scale 10). The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 6.4% per year. We also offer a pension scheme. Employment conditions are according to the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch universities, terms of employment. Next to research (90%) you are also expected to contribute to teaching (10%).
Further details
For further information contact Prof. Dr. Marc Baldus (Phone: +31-30-2533801 Fax: +31-30-2537623 Email: m.baldus@uu.nl.