Postdoc Physics of Cellular Robustness

Join the Laan Lab at TU Delft to unravel the mesoscale physics of how cells maintain robustness through evolution using live-cell imaging and modelling.

Cells display a remarkable ability to adapt to strong genetic perturbations. In some cases, only a handful of mutations are sufficient to restore cellular function, even after major disruptions. This raises a fundamental question: how do cells reorganize their internal processes to buffer such perturbations and maintain functionality?

Within the ERC Consolidator Grant project PolarRobustness, we investigate the idea that cellular processes are not independent, but physically coupled. These couplings may allow processes to absorb and compensate for disturbances in each other, giving rise to a collective form of robustness. Understanding this requires moving beyond studying a single process in isolation, and instead capturing how multiple processes interact dynamically within the same cell.

In this postdoctoral project, you will in collaboration develop and apply an integrated experimental and theoretical framework to study multiple coupled cellular processes simultaneously. You will combine advanced live-cell microscopy with inference-based modeling to quantitatively describe how cells coordinate key processes over time.

You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team to establish a systems-level understanding of how coupled cellular processes collectively buffer perturbations.

Job requirements

The project will start in September and is embedded in the Laan Lab at the Department of Bionanoscience, Faculty of Applied Sciences, TU Delft. The lab offers a highly collaborative and international environment at the interface of physics and biology.

We are looking for a candidate with strong experience in live-cell microscopy and a keen interest in combining experiments with quantitative modeling to uncover fundamental principles of cellular organization and robustness. We expect the candidate to be a team-player, to have an independent and well-organized work style, to be communicative and creative, and to contribute to our open, interactive, and social lab culture.

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 corevalues and we activelyengage 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.

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.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year. Temporary.
• A job of 38 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• 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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Liedewij Laan, via l.laan@tudelft.nl.

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