"Postdoc Researcher for Studying in Vitro Transport Across the Nuclear Pore Complex"

The selective control of import and export across membrane-spanning pores is vital for our cells. Typically, the specificity, speed, and directionality of transport are tightly woven into the ordered structure of the pore which is characterized by a limited conformational flexibility. Remarkably, nature also offers a fascinating and unexpected alternative strategy: by lining membrane pores with intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) to guard the gap. The best example is the nuclear pore complex (NPC), responsible for all molecular transport in and out of the cell nucleus. These pores exhibit an intriguing selectivity where most proteins are blocked from transport, while particular transport receptor (TR) proteins, can pass to traverse their cargo. A mechanistic understanding of this puzzling selectivity has remained lacking.

The aim of this proposal is to resolve the fundamentals of this IDP-mediated selective barrier function. In our biophysics lab we study in vitro reconstitutions of the NPC in simple mimics that are made using DNA origami and microfabrication. We study single-molecule transport and measure the NPC nanoscale structure using TEM, AFM, FRET, DIB, MINFLUX, etc. We study purified yeast NPCs as well as design the amino-acid sequence of the IDPs and TRs de novo from the bottom up and study these in biomimetic solid-state nanopores. The approach can be expected to uncover the vital mechanism of selective IDP-mediated transport and thus answer one of the central questions in molecular cell biology. We collaborate with experts in cell biology and MD simulations.

We are looking for outstanding experimentalists that are eager to participate in our research. The group aims at research at the highest international level. Candidates that fit into this environment are invited to apply. Experience in fields such as NPC, DNA origami, IDPs, MINFLUX, biophysics, single-molecule techniques, and optical imaging is welcomed. We foster diversity and female candidates are particularly invited to apply, since the gender balance recently declined with the departure of quite some female postdocs and students. The postdoctoral position is for 2 years, with likely an extension.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty Applied Sciences with more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century.

Conditions of employment: Duration of contract is 2 years. Temporary. A job of 32-40 hours per week. A salary based on Scale 10 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3546 - €5538 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. Flexible working week. Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. Partially paid parental leave. Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.