Published 8 October 2008

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a university with an internationally acclaimed profile, located at the heart of the Dutch capital. As well as a world centre for business and research, Amsterdam is a hub of cultural and media activities. The University of Amsterdam is a member of the League of European Research Universities.
The Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's foremost institutions of higher education and research in its chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in international science networks and collaborates with universities and industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,000 students and 1,500 staff members spread over four departments and ten research institutes. Each institute has its own research programme, a substantial part of which is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private enterprises.

In 2010, the Faculty will relocate to the Science Park Amsterdam. Ambitious building projects are paving the way for this relocation. The move will make the Park one of the largest centres of academic research in the Netherlands.

Marie Curie Initial Training Network "Biomineralization: understanding of basic mechanisms for the design of novel strategies in nanobiotechnology (BIOMINTEC)''

Within the Marie Curie Initial Training Network BIOMINTEC there are currently a number of PhD positions available. The duration of each PhD position is 36 months. The project involves 9 European partners, including industrial partners. Being part of a mobility program, PhD candidates will perform their work in two of the partner institutions (18 months each, in two different countries) which can not be the home country of the candidate. The University of Amsterdam (The Informatics Institute) is one of the partners in the BIOMINTEC project. The BIOMINTEC project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Dr. H.C Schröder (Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz, Germany).

Research in the BIOMINTEC project is in the field of biomineralization and applications in nano-biotechnologies. Biomineralization is the formation of minerals by living cells and organisms. To understand the processes involved in biomineralization, at the cutting edge between inorganic and organic world, the cooperation between molecular and cell biologists, inorganic chemists, and physical chemists, but also computational scientists is required. The products formed by bio-mineralization are often composite materials. The ability of organisms to form nanostructured biominerals with high precision and in large copy number under biological, environmentally benign conditions makes the mechanisms underlying biomineral formation extremely interesting for nano(bio)-technology, a key technology of the 21st century.

During the project, training will be provided on the following topics: Molecular and chemical principles of biomineralization; Molecular biology techniques; Cell and embryo cultures, cell biology techniques; Advanced methods in analytical inorganic chemistry; Functionalization of surfaces; Macromolecular crystallography; Computational biology, Gene regulatory networks; and Training in intellectual property, Writing business and marketing plans. The project includes participation in workshops and summer schools.

Knowledge in at least one of the following fields and interest in biomineralization and nanobiotechnology are required: biochemistry, molecular biology, gene regulation, physiology and biology of marine invertebrates, chemistry, crystallography. Motivation to travel and adapt to a different country and to integrate efficiently in a new working team is fundamental.

The Informatics Institute has a vacancy for a

PhD Student (ESR8) within the BIOMINTEC project

1.0 fte (38h per week)
vacancy number 08-1058

PhD candidates will perform their work at the University of Amsterdam and one of the partner institutions (18 months each, in two different countries) which can not be the home country of the candidate (see general information above). The partner institution in ESR8 is the Université de Bourgogne (Dijon France).

Topic of PhD thesis: "Biocalcification: Characterization of crystal-shaping proteins of the molluscan shell and modelling gene regulation".
Research at the University of Amsterdam: Based on ongoing research it is known that there is a close link between Ca signalling and Ca homeostasis in yeast and calcification, e.g., in scleraactinian corals and molluscs. We will investigate this hypothesis by developing a coupled model of gene regulation, Ca-homeostasis and calcification. Modelling gene expression in tissues will require individual-based modelling of cells and tissues. We want to develop a physically-based model of cells suitable to represent cell-cell contacts, cell migration and adhesion. Research at the Université de Bourgogne (Dijon France): From all non vertebrate calcifying metazoans, molluscs are usually considered as the master "biomineralizers". Their shell secretion implies that they control the shapes of the crystals and the spatial organization of the crystallites (shell microstructures) as well as the mineralogy (calcite versus aragonite). The fellow will characterize new proteins in relation with different shell microstructures. The emphasis will be put on non macro-prismatic molluscs for which hardly any data are available. Shell proteins will be investigated at the protein and transcript levels.

Tasks

The PhD student will work on the molecular biology of biomineralization and on modelling biomineralization using methods from scientific computing.

Requirements

Candidates should have a master's degree (or equivalent) in scientific computing or computational science, (computational) physics, chemistry, molecular biology or a comparable expertise. Candidates are expected to have expertise in modelling and scientific programming and an active interest in life science applications. One must have the ability to operate in an international research team. Fluency in oral and written English.

Further information

Further information can be obtained from: Dr J. A. Kaandorp, Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, 1098 SJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; tel. +31 20 525 7539; e-mail: J.A.Kaandorp@uva.nl; Dr. F. Marin, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon France, e-mail frederic.marin@u-bourgogne.fr.

Appointment

This is a full-time appointment (38 hours a week) for a total of three years: an initial period of one year, followed by a further two years subject to a positive appraisal. It is expected to result in a PhD thesis. The salary will be in accordance with the University regulations for academic personnel, and will range from € 2.000,-- to €2.558,-- gross per month. The collective employment agreement of Dutch universities is applicable. Allowances will be paid in accordance with the rules for Marie Curie Initial Training Networks.

Job application

Applications should include a letter of motivation and a curriculum vitae. Please include the names and contact information of two references. Applications should be sent by e-mail to Mrs. J.C. Knaap-Cabi at application-science@uva.nl. The application period will remain open until the position is filled; however, review of applications will commence in November 2008, with the intent of filling the position as quickly as possible. Please mention the vacancy number and attach all relevant supporting documentation.
To process your application immediately, please quote the job reference code in the subject line.

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the post is filled which is no later than 31 December 2008. 

Academic vacancies

Published 8 October 2008

Source: Communications Services