Two PhD positions: Cellular structural biology of spermiogenesis

Are you curious about how round male germ cells transform into streamlined sperm? Fascinated by proteins 3D structure? Eager to explore the limits of cryo-electron microscopy? Join our ERC funded team as a PhD candidate for four years of excellent training on an exciting and rewarding project. You will join a dynamic and enthusiastic research group that combines state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) with biochemical assays to advance our knowledge on sperm biology.

Your job
Over the past years, the Cellular Structural Biology of Fertilization research group of Dr. Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai has been at the forefront of using cryo-EM and cryo-ET to study sperm at the molecular level. The group resolved the in-situ structures of mammalian sperm centrioles, axoneme and mitochondria-cytoskeleton tethering complex (EMBO J 2021 40:e107410; Nat Comm 2021 12:3803; PNAS 2021 118:e2110996118). By combining cryo-EM and AI-based molecular modelling, the group has identified proteins that form an interconnected network within the lumen of the axonemal doublet microtubules (Cell 2023 186:2880).

Pursuing a PhD in our group will offer you the opportunity to:

• work in an innovative, well- equipped and scientifically stimulating environment;
• learn cryo-EM single particle analysis grid preparation, data collection and processing;
• learn cryo-ET with focused ion beam milling and sub-tomogram averaging;
• learn cryo-EM and cryo-ET image analysis and molecular modelling software packages, including CryoSparc, Relion, PEET, Alphafold and ChimeraX.
• gain a molecular understanding of sperm biology;
• develop academic skills such as effective scientific communications (written and oral), building collaboration networks and teaching.

Practically, you will:

• plan and execute experimental studies in the area of sperm biology;
• isolate tissues and primary cells from mice, rats, or bulls;
• perform cell biological, biochemical and immunofluorescence analysis of cell and tissue samples
• perform cryo-EM single particle analysis and cellular cryo-ET with focused ion beam milling;
• perform cryo-EM and cryo-ET image processing;
• provide graphical documentation and evaluation for conferences, scientific publications, and reports.

Requirements:

This PhD project is the right fit for you, if you:

• have (or are close to completing) a Master’s degree in Molecular Life Sciences, ideally with a focus on Structural Biochemistry, or a closely related field;
• demonstrate advanced (theoretical) knowledge in several of the following areas: cryo-Electron Microscopy, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Imaging, Molecular modelling, Structural Bioinformatics;
• are highly motivated, able to deal with challenges, creative and thrive in a collaborative environment;
• have excellent oral and written skills in English at C1 level.

Previous hands-on experience in cryo-EM is not required but will be considered a significant advantage.

Salary Benefits:

We offer:

• an academic environment with many world-class scientists, where English is the main language;
• academic training in our Molecular Life Sciences Programme;
• a supportive environment with a commitment to academic development and maintaining a healthy work-life balance;
• a position for four years;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible terms of employment based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

36 - 40 hours per week

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