2 Post-doc and 1 PhD-student positions available in Piet Gros’ protein crystallography lab and Hans Gerritsen’s molecular biophysics lab; Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

 

Job description

Structural Biology and Biophysics of the Complement Immune System

 

The selected candidates will work in a small team focused on understanding the immune response in blood plasma by activating the complement system. Unregulated activity of the complement system is associated with a wide range of auto-immune disorders. It is our goal to understand the molecular principles that underlie complement activation on cellular surfaces.

The post-docs in this project will focus on reconstituting complement activation using recombinant proteins and study complex association, activity and dissociation by biochemical and biophysical (single molecule fluorescence) techniques. One post-doc will focus on single-molecule fluorescence and one will focus on molecular biology and the biochemistry of reconstitution.

The PhD student will focus on crystal structure determinations of the key complexes in complement activation. The groups are well equipped and experienced in mammalian protein _expression_ and protein crystallography (Gros); and fluorescence microscopy (Gerritsen). The groups are part of the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Debye Institute. Together with the Academic Biomedical Center these centers form a stimulating environment at the Utrecht University for students and post-docs studying biomedically important processes with biophysical techniques.

 

Key papers from our groups include: Janssen et al. Nature 437, 505-511 (2005); Oomen et al. EMBO J. 23, 1257-1266 (2004); Huizinga et al. Science 297, 1176-1179 (2002); and Sark et al. Single Molecules 1, 291-298 (2000); Frederix et al. Applied Spectroscopy 55(8), 1005-1012 (2001).

 

Qualifications

All candidates must have a strong background in molecular and/or structural biology and/or molecular biophysics.

For the PhD position the ideal candidate is an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher who recently graduated (MSc in chemistry, biology or related field). Good English language skills are prerequisites.

Candidates for the Post-doc position should have a Ph.D. degree in chemistry, physics or biology. Publications in scientific journals are considered as advantages. Good English language skills are prerequisites.

 

Further details
Further information can be obtained from Piet Gros, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Hans Gerritsen, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or look at:

http://www.crystal.chem.uu.nl/group-gros/

http://www.bijvoet-center.nl/

http://www1.phys.uu.nl/wwwmbf/

 

Terms of employment PhD position

We offer a full-time Ph.D. position for 4 years. The gross monthly salary increases from € 1877 in year 1 to € 2407 in year 4 in according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities.

Terms of employment for the Post-doc positions

We offer a temporary position initially for one year full time, with the possibility of extension up to three years. The gross salary will be commensurate with experience and performance and ranges from  2639, - to € 3472, - per month (salary scale 10 of the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities).

For both positions

Secondary benefits, based on the CAO Dutch Universities are excellent in general and include e.g. a pension scheme, flexible employment conditions and salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 2% per year.

How to apply?
Your written application,
including curriculum vitae, at least two references and a description of experience relevant to the research project should be addressed to Ms. drs. M.E.S. Arends, Personnel Department of the Department of Chemistry of the Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands, quoting vacancy number 64.521 and by e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]. The deadline for receipt is: January 10, 2006.

 

 

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