POSTDOC USING ADVANCED CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC APPROACHES TO STUDY PHOTOREACTIONS

Serial Crystallography (SX) is an emerging method that allows visualizing the macromolecule interaction with light. SX is a so-called “pump–probe” experiment, where a short UV-Visible light laser pulse excites the chromophores in the molecule while an X-ray pulse is used to probe the newly formed state at a certain delay after light excitation. As a result, the light-induced X-ray crystallographic electron densities are assigned to reactions and excited-state processes. Postdoctoral research position in SX and dynamic structural biology is available to study light inducible proteins essential for photosynthesis and photobiology. The SX results would be complemented by time-resolved spectroscopy.The position is available now for a minimum of one year, with the possibility of extension.
The research will be carried out at the VU under the supervision of Dr Volha Chukhutsina.

Your duties

• establish a data processing pipeline for crystallographic data
• participate in the group's time-resolved serial crystallography experiments
• take an active role in the organisation of serial crystallography experiments
• perform SX experiments with particular emphasis on data analysis
• investigate the photo-regulatory and molecular responses of various proteins to light irradiation
• complement SX observations with time-resolved spectroscopy

Requirements:

• PhD in physics, physical chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry or related disciplines
• Knowledge and experience in structural biology and serial crystallography or large data analysis
• Advanced knowledge of CrystFEL or DIALS data processing packages is highly desirable
• Phenix, CCP4
• Good knowledge of Python or another programming language
• Interest in working in a multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent knowledge of English

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.226,00 (Scale 10.00) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center
• contribution to commuting expenses
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance);

De Boelelaan 1085