Ph.D. student in solid-state NMR: Studying protein folding and assembly at atomic sca

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Ph.D. student in solid-state NMR: Studying protein folding and assembly at atomic scale



Description of the Faculty / Research group
The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics and Chemistry. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research.
The NMR Research Group is part of the Chemistry Department (Universiteit Utrecht fac. Scheikunde) and belongs to the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research (Bijvoet Center and Bijvoet School). A major research line (headed by Prof.Dr. Marc Baldus) concerns the development and application of solid-state NMR (ssNMR) methods in a biomolecular context. In contrast to other biophysical methods, ssNMR techniques can be used to study atomic structure even if molecules are not soluble or crystalline. Correspondingly, ssNMR offers new possibilities to study complex biomolecules such as protein assemblies and Amyloid proteins in a biologically relevant context. We are working in these fields of research and collaborate with internationally leading groups at Utrecht University and abroad. Additional information on our work and regarding ongoing projects can be found at our website.
Currently, we are searching for a PhD-student.
Job description
You will be part of a team working on the study of elementary aspects of protein folding and dynamic assembly by ssNMR. In particular, you will follow the structural and dynamical changes associated with Protein aggregation via polyglutamine stretches. This process occurs in a number of severe diseases such as Huntington's disease and represents a role model for other neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. In parallel, you will study other Amyloid proteins and the process of biomolecular folding in a membrane environment in a comprehensive manner. These experiments will allow you to understand that atomic details of molecular folding and assembly that are of vital relevance for biomolecular function and its failure. The position is funded by a research grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to Prof. Dr. M. Baldus.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have a Master's or equivalent degree in chemistry, physics, or biology with a general interest in biophysics and spectroscopy. Experience in NMR or a related spectroscopic method is desirable.
Terms of employment
We offer a position for four years. You are expected to have a Ph.D. thesis written by the end of the fourth year. The salary starts at 1956 and amounts to 2502 euro gross per month in the fourth year of the appointment. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 3% per year. We also offer a pension scheme. Employment conditions are according to the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities terms of employment. Next to research (90%) you are also expected to contribute to teaching (10%).
Further details

For further information contact Prof. Dr. Marc Baldus (Phone: +31-30-2533801 Fax: +31-30-2537623 Email: m.baldus@uu.nl.
How to apply
Your application, referring to vacancynumber ???, including a CV with contact information of two referees, should be sent to Science.PenO@uu.nl or: Faculty of Science, Personnel department, PO Box 80010, 3508 TA Utrecht.