We are looking for a curiosity-driven person who enjoys conceptual thinking and passionate about learning new concepts and doing original research.
Designing simple biomimetic systems such as self-propelled particles (SPPs) or artificial microswimmers and active vesicles is currently a topic of substantial interest in active soft matter. Biological cells generate intricate structures by sculpting their membrane from within to actively sense and respond to external stimuli or to explore their environment. Several intracellular pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Listeria) also provide examples of how localized forces strongly deform cell membranes from inside, leading to the invasion of neighboring healthy mammalian cells. Giant unilamellar vesicles have been successfully used as a minimal model system with which to mimic biological cells, but the realization of a minimal system with localized active internal forces that can strongly deform lipid membranes from within and lead to dramatic shape changes remains challenging.
The main objective of the project is first to develop a more realistic biomimetic system and then use this system to investigate how the lipid membrane responds to highly-localized forces, when and how these local forces translate into different membrane morphologies.
The research work will be carried out in the group of Dr. Hanumantha Rao Vutukuri, a tenure-track assistant professor. The active matter group is a part of the Soft Matter Cluster in the Science and Technology Faculty at the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. You will be working in a dynamic and highly interdisciplinary environment.
References:
Vutukuri, et al., Nature, 586, 52, 2020.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2730-x
Vutukuri, et al., Nat. Communi, 586, 52, 2020.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15764-1
The University of Twente offers a stimulating work environment in an area of applied, forefront research. When fulfilling a PhD position at the UT, you will get the status of junior scientist. You will have an employment contract for the duration of 4 years and can participate in all employee benefits the UT offers. The gross monthly salary starts with ? 2.395,- in the first year and increases to ? 3.061,- in the fourth year of your employment. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance (amount to 8%), an end of year bonus of 8.3%. A high-quality training program is part of the agreement. The research has to result in a PhD thesis at the end of the employment period.
Please submit your online application before 7th July 2021 for full consideration. Your application should include the following documents:
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. H.R. Vutukuri ([email protected]).
The research work will be carried out in the group of Dr. Hanumantha Rao Vutukuri, a tenure-track assistant professor. The active matter group is a part of the Soft Matter Cluster in the Science and Technology Faculty at the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. You will be working in a dynamic and highly interdisciplinary environment.
TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology)
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
As an employer, the TNW Faculty offers jobs that matter. We equip you as a staff member to shape new opportunities both for yourself and for our society. With our Faculty, you will be part of a leading tech university that is changing our world for the better. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial climate, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example, with our flexible, customisable conditions.
University of Twente (UT)
University of Twente (UT) has entered the new decade with an ambitious, new vision, mission and strategy. As ?the ultimate people-first university of technology' we are rapidly expanding on our High Tech Human Touch philosophy and the unique role it affords us in society. Everything we do is aimed at maximum impact on people, society and connections through the sustainable utilisation of science and technology. We want to contribute to the development of a fair, digital and sustainable society through our open, inclusive and entrepreneurial attitude. This attitude permeates everything we do and is present in every one of UT's departments and faculties. Building on our rich legacy in merging technical and social sciences, we focus on five distinguishing research domains: Improving healthcare by personalised technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.
As an employer, University of Twente offers jobs that matter. We equip you as a staff member to shape new opportunities both for yourself and for our society. With us, you will be part of a leading tech university that is changing our world for the better. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial climate, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example, with our flexible, customisable conditions.
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