Job description
Nanoswitch sensors that continuously probe complex nucleic acids: that’s your challenge!
Nanoswitch sensors are nanometer-scale constructs that change their configuration upon molecular binding and enable the continuous monitoring of biomolecules. In this PhD project, you will explore a novel direction: you will study how nanoswitch sensors can be designed for the continuous monitoring of complex nucleic-acids with dynamic secondary structures, such as virus-like particles and plasmids.
In your PhD project, you will study nanoswitches in a particle-based sensing platform with single-molecule resolution, called Biosensing by Particle Motion. The project includes nanoswitch design, sensor fabrication, sensor testing, and modelling. The longterm goal is to enable multiplexed continuous real-time sensing for applications in advanced bio-manufacturing.
The continuous sensing technologies studied in the Molecular Biosensing group at TU/e (see www.tue.nl/mbx) exploit reversible single-molecule interactions, a concept that is at the forefront of science. The PhD project benefits from ongoing collaborations with research institutes, academic hospitals, and bioprocessing companies. Publications about the BPM sensing technology are listed on https://www.heliabiomonitoring.com/publications.
The research group integrates laboratory-based and computational approaches for advancing sensor technology and bioengineering. Research is done in close collaboration with the Protein Engineering research group (https://merkxlab.nl/) and the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (www.tue.nl/icms). The research group initiated and organizes the international competition on Sensors for Health (www.sensus.org) and the international symposium on Continuous Real-time Biomolecular Sensing (https://symposium.sensus.org).
Requirements
- A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in engineering sciences and/or analytical sciences, e.g. bioengineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, analytical chemistry.
- A research-oriented attitude.
- Competence to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
- Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 4 years.
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.
In addition, we offer you:
- Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
- Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
- In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
- Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
- As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
- High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
- Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
- We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
- An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates.
- On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!
Employer
TU/e We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.
Additional information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
More information about the content of the research can be obtained from Prof. Menno Prins (m.w.j.prins@tue.nl) and Assoc. Prof. Arthur de Jong (a.m.de.jong@tue.nl).
Visit our website for more information about the application process.
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Working at TU/e
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