Postdoc Theoretical Biophysics

Would you like to perform Brownian motion/Langevin simulations as well as analytical calculations to understand nucleocapsid formation in Sars-CoV-2?

Job description
Coronaviruses are positive, single-strand RNA viruses. The genome of Sars-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, encodes four structural proteins. The focus of this theoretical protein is the nucleocapsid N-protein and its interaction with the viral genome: the N-protein plays a role both in replication and translation, but is mainly associated with packaging the genomic RNA into the future viral capsid. This goal of this project is to understand how the N-protein contributes to this packaging. The project is part of an NWO-XL grant, and will be pursued in tight collaboration with experimental colleagues.

For this biophysics postdoctoral project, we hope to design and perform Brownian motion simulations to capture both N-protein and RNA polymer dynamics. The project will also involve analytical calculations to predict these dynamics, as well as calculations to compare to experiments. A previous background in polymer physics or statistical physics or simulations would be highly beneficial for this project. Willingness to drive the project and contribute ideas or directions is a plus!

Job requirements

• PhD in Physics, Mathematics or a related discipline
• Interest in or background in polymer physics or simulations
• Interest in collaboration with the XL Team and experimental collaboration

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year.
• A job of 36-38 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Marianne Bauer, via M.S.Bauer@tudelft.nl

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter
• Transcripts
• Three academic references

You can address your application to Marianne Bauer.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 38 hours per week

Mekelweg 5