How do cells coordinate membrane synthesis with growth?
Job description
We seek a highly motivated individual to identify the structural mechanism by which bacteria coordinate membrane synthesis with growth. All cells need membranes, but the fundamental question of how cells control their total membrane content has not yet been answered. Working in the model prokaryote E. Coli, our group identified the phospholipid synthesis enzyme whose activity is tuned by growth rate. We have extensive evidence from live-cell imaging experiments that the enzyme responds to membrane abundance by forming inactive protein filaments, thus controlling phospholipid synthesis via a negative feedback loop. The postdoc will use electron microscopy to determine the molecular structure of the protein filaments and subsequently design mutants unable to form filaments. These feedback-resistant mutant enzymes will test our hypothesis and also be used in the context of a designed membrane biosynthesis pathway that can generate sufficient phospholipids from soluble substrates to enable growth of a synthetic cell.
This project was initiated by the PI to understand how growth regulates cell envelope biogenesis in bacteria. The project is also part of the EVOLF consortium, which seeks to create living cells from nonliving materials. EVOLF consists of 31 research labs tackling different aspects of this challenge in an integrated and collaborative manner. As this project progresses, we will seek to integrate a feedback-resistant phospholipid synthesis pathway with additional elements of living cells, such as cell division machinery and metabolite importers, to move closer to realizing artificial life. In the longer term, we will use evolution to improve the performance and integration of the synthetic components.
The postdoc will join the Bokinsky Lab in the Bionanoscience Department at TU Delft. The postdoc will collaborate with the Jakobi Lab, experts in electron microscopy who are also part of the Bionanoscience Department. The Bokinsky Lab has extensive experience in diverse fields, including (top-down) synthetic biology, genetic and metabolic engineering, live-cell microscopy, and mass spectrometry-based analysis of proteomes and metabolites in living cells. You can find more information about our membrane metabolism and synthetic biology research on our website at sites.google.com/site/bokinskylab
Job requirements
- Applicants should have (or be about to earn) a PhD degree in structural biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biophysics, microbiology, or a related field.
- Experience with peripheral membrane protein purification, cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, or liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry, is highly desirable but not essential.
- Applicants must have excellent written and spoken English skills to ensure good communications and interactions.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
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. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.
here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 2,5 years.
- A job of 36-40 hours per week.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Coming to Delft ServiceDual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .
Additional information
www.EVOLF.lifeApplication procedure
31 August 2025
via the application button and upload the following documents:- a detailed CV
- a motivation letter that describes your previous research experience and your specific interests in this project
Please note:
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.