PhD position in Biochemistry/Biophysics

Job description

The project involves both the production & purification of proteins and the biophysical characterization. NMR spectroscopy on proteins will be the most important tool for the characterization of the protein complexes. You will write a dissertation and a series of co-authored articles in international, peer-reviewed journals, toward fulfillment of requirements for the PhD degree.

Requirements

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a Master’s degree in Biochemistry or Biophysics (or equivalent) and experience with proteins. Knowledge of NMR on biomolecules is an advantage.

Conditions of employment

The successful applicant is initially appointed for one year and extendible to a total period of four years. Appointment will be under the terms of the CAO (collective labour agreement) of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary is set on € 2.042,- in the first year up to € 2.612,- in year four (PhD scale). This is based upon a fulltime employment and in conformity with current salary scales under the collective employment agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities. An appointment with Leiden University includes a pension build-up and facilitates other benefits such as an annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8,3%. Candidates from outside The Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Organisation

Leiden University

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.
Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.

Additional information

Description The project in which the PhD candidate will contribute, is aimed at understanding the biophysical nature of weak, short-lived protein complexes. Such complexes are found in many biochemical processes in which a fast flux is essential, like in photosynthesis and respiration. Recent discoveries have shown that these transient complexes exist partly as dynamic ensembles. An important goal of the project is to establish the timescales of the dynamics by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation experiments. For more information please contact prof. dr. M. Ubbink tel. +31 (0)71 527 4628, e-mail m.ubbink@chem.leidenuniv.nl.