These positions are part of a European consortium Propel, which aims to revolutionise sustainable bio-manufacturing through the creation of the first integrated, cost-efficient and scalable pipeline for the production of protein-based materials and biocatalysts using synthetic cells.
A key objective is the bottom-up construction of synthetic cells that are capable of sustained protein production. This is a formidable challenge as we lack a blueprint that allows for a bottom-up engineering approach. At the same time, there is an experimental bottleneck: the number of ingredients (lipids, amino acids, cell-free gene expression machinery) prevents a trial-and-error approach where the complete experimental space can be explored such that a large number of experiments will include the correct solution to the problem.
You will develop a design-build-test-learn cycle, combining high throughput experiments and active learning to obtain synthetic cells with the desired properties. You will integrate liquid handling robots and high-speed microscopy with AI and machine learning to form stable liposomes from libraries of (novel) phospholipids that can robustly encapsulate cell-free gene expression systems. You will then expand this pipeline to optimise the yield and especially the robustness of the cell-free expression system. The result will be synthetic cells that can be used across the consortium to degrade plastic waste and transform waste products into valuable biomaterials.
Requirements
Specific Requirements
- You have a PhD degree in synthetic biology, chemical engineering or a related discipline.
- You have practical experience with cell-free gene expression systems and/or liposomes.
- You take an interest in liquid handling robots, Python and Bayesian optimisation.
- You are a team player and enjoy working in a multidisciplinary environment.
- You have a strong publication track record.
- You have a good command of spoken and written English.
Additional Information
Benefits
- We will give you a temporary employment contract of 1 year with the prospect of an extension for another 1 or 2 years.
- Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
- You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
- You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.
Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
Additional comments
You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Prof. Wilhelm Huck. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.
Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled during the recruitment period. Therefore, you will receive feedback and information about a possible follow-up process shortly. If a suitable candidate is found before the closing date, the vacancy will be closed, and further applications will no longer be possible. The interview slots will be scheduled in consultation with the shortlisted applicants. You will preferably start your employment on 1 November 2026.
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Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Radboud Universiteit
- Country: Netherlands
- City: Nijmegen
- Postal Code: 6525XZ
- Street: Houtlaan 4
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