Working at the UvA
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 UvA is a member of the League of European Research Universities.The Faculty of Science at the Universiteit van 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.
PhD student in Computational Biology
1.0 FTE
vacancy number 09-1051
Project: Genetic and Cellular Mechanisms for Controlled Growth
The project is funded by the Honda Research Institute Europe. In this project the candidate will collaborate with researchers from the Honda Research Institute Europe and should be willing to spend 1-2 months each year at this institute in Offenbach (Germany). The candidate is expected to collaborate extensively with molecular developmental biologists.
The main target of the project is to develop computational models for cellular development to achieve a controlled growth. By controlled growth, we mean three mutually related properties. First, the morphological growth should stop within a limited time. This does not necessarily mean that cells should stop dividing, rather, a balance between cell proliferation and cell death should be achieved. Second, it should achieve a desired shape with a sufficient complexity. Third, it should show a certain capability of self-repairing, i.e., when a small number of the cells are destroyed, the balanced cell growth process should be able to re-generate these cells at the right place. Cellular interaction mechanisms that facilitate a structured growth will be studied. Second, evidence indicating mechanisms for controlled growth found in biology, such as the role of negative and positive feedback loops in gene regulatory networks, will be evaluated and related to those network motifs found in the computational model. Based on the understanding of the structure, dynamics and cellular behaviour of the gene regulatory network model, we will perform a case study of a GRN model for the development of cnidarians Nematostella vectensis and Acropora millepora using biological data, including spatio-temporal gene expression data (in situ hybridisations) and morphological data.
Requirements
Candidates should have a master's degree (or equivalent) in scientific computing or computational science, (computational) physics, (computational) chemistry or a comparable expertise. Candidates are expected to have expertise in modelling and scientific programming and an active interest in life science applications. Candidate should be able to work in an international research team. Fluency in oral and written English is required. Motivation to travel to a different country and integrate efficiently in a new research team is fundamental.
Appointment
The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of four years, with an initial period of eighteen months followed by a further two and a half years subject to a positive appraisal. It is expected to result in a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan that includes attendance of courses and national and international meetings will be drafted. The salary is in accordance with the university regulations for academic personnel, and will range from €2,042 (first year) up to a maximum of €2,612 (last year) per month before tax. The Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities is applicable.
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 November 2009, with the intent of filling the position as quickly as possible. Please mention the vacancy number in the subject line and attach all relevant supporting documents.
Closing date: 30 November 2009