PhD-candidate Advanced Microscopy for Immunology, Leiden

Job number : D.21.MH.MR.05

Closing date: 28-02-2012

The position

We are looking for a PhD-candidate for a research project focused on developing and applying super-resolution light microscopy with cryogenic electron microscopy (CryoEM). Are you the candidate we are looking for?

You will join the lab of Thom Sharp to work on developing and applying super-resolution light microscopy correlated with CryoEM (super-res cryoCLEM). We have developed a method to perform super-res cryoCLEM on intact mammalian cells using fluorescent proteins. One aspect of this PhD function is designing and building the next-generation of cryo-super resolution light microscopes, to improve ease of use and explore novel methods for super-res cryoCLEM. This will be performed in collaboration with Lennard Voortman, the head of the LUMC light microscopy facility. Another aspect is to use super-res cryoCLEM to investigate cellular processes, with a focus on the human immune system. Applications include, but are not limited to, in-situ structural biology of antibody binding and effector complexes, phagocytosis, and the biology of antigen processing by MHC complexes.

Your profile

You are an enthusiastic co-colleague who:

●        Has a background in microscopy, physics or engineering, and holds a relevant MSc degree;

●        Has experience in biology/immunology with an evident desire to explore the fundamentals of super-res cryoCLEM

What we offer

You will be employed on the basis of a 36-hour week. You will be appointed for the duration of four years. Your salary is a maximum of € 2,495 in the first year, amounting to a maximum of € 3,196 in the final year (scale Pro, Collective Labour Agreement University Medical Centers).

Working at the LUMC

The LUMC, situated in Leiden, the Netherlands, is an academic medical centre for patient care, research and education, aiming to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s health care. It has a strong focus on research, connecting and combining fundamental research into disease-causing mechanisms with patient-focussed studies in areas like oncology, regenerative medicine and population health. The LUMC has research facilities that include capabilities for multiple appliances. The combination with clinical and societal outreach programmes allows for ground-breaking research and innovation in basic and applied science.

The Sharp lab comprises the BioNanopatterning group at the department of Cell and Chemical Biology where we perform fundamental research into the human immune system using bionanotechnology, structural biology using cryo-electron microscopy, and develop techniques for super-resolution light microscopy. The LUMC is a centre for medical innovation that aims to improve patient care through leading international research. To provide our patients with a safe and friendly environment, we need doctors, medical care specialists, support staff and academic researchers. The LUMC has excellent facilities for light and electron microscopy, and is closely affiliated with the national centre for electron microscopy (NeCEN). The department also has facilities available for molecular biology and chemistry, and the Sharp lab is closely affiliated with the Chemistry Department at Leiden University.

More information

A detailed job description can be found at www.lumc.nl / vacancies. You may also contact Thomas Sharp, assistant professor, department of Cell and Chemical Biology

Telephone: +31 (0)71 526 94 99

[Email Address Removed]

How to apply

Please apply through our online form at www.lumc.nl/vacancies.