PhD Scholarship in Physics of Spine Development

Overview

The spine is a highly complex and remarkable structure: it consists of a stack of bony vertebrae separated by cartilaginous intervertebral discs which act as elastic hinges. It is an open question how such complex functional structures form during embryonic development. It appears that physical processes play a pivotal role, since the architectures of both the vertebral bone and the intervertebral disc seem optimally structured to deal with specific mechanical loads. Understanding the process of spine development may help to develop new strategies to engineer functionally oriented tissues

Your job

Your position is part of a recently granted (VICI-award) multi-disciplinary research program on the self-organisation of structured connective tissues. The leading hypothesis is that mechanical cues steer the activity of cells as well as the assembly and alignment of extracellular matrix molecules. The aims of this PhD project are to measure the physical cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions by optical tweazers; to elucidate the extra-cellular process of matrix self-assembly by microscopy; and to measure the mechanical properties of cells and extracellular matrix components by microrheology. Other PhD positions within this program will address the developmental biology of the spine and computational modeling of self-assembly in connective tissues.

Your experience and qualifications

The candidate we are looking for should be recently graduated from a MSc program in physics, biochemistry, medical physics, or strongly related field.

Other requirements are:

Knowledge and experience in soft matter physics or materials science;
Additional experience with cells or biomolecules is a plus;
Strong affinity for multidisciplinary research;
Capacity to write and communicate fluently in English.

What do we offer

Salarisschaal OIO: 2086 tot 2673 euro Gross in full-time employment depending on qualifications and experience).

If you decide to devote your skills and knowledge by working for VUmc, we are pleased to give you excellent working conditions in return. Whether you have a full - time or part-time position with us, you benefit from many attractive fringe benefits.

For all our fringe benefits, please visit: http://www.werkenbijvumc.nl/werkenbijvumc/watbiedtvumc/

Characteristics

The project will be supervised by dr.ir Theo Smit (t.h.smit@VUmc.nl) and co-supervised by prof.dr. Gijsje Koenderink (AMOLF research institute/www.amolf.nl)

For more information regarding your application for this vacancy you can contact Mandy van den Bosch, recruiter, at +31-(0)20-4445635.