PhD Position: Biomolecular Condensates in Synthetic Cells

Employment 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 2,872 - € 3,670

Required background Research University Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Science

Application deadline 05 January 2025

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate to work on the project ‘Enzymatically controlled membrane attachment and exocytosis of condensates in synthetic cells’.

The project is part of ComeInCell, the EU Doctoral Network on Integrative Synthetic Cell Design (https://www.comeincell.org): Condensates at Membrane Scaffolds – Integrated Systems as Synthetic Cell Compartments.
You will join the group of Evan Spruijt (www.spruijtlab.com) at Radboud University and you will be given the opportunity to do secondments at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany (Dimova Group), the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (Poolman Group), the Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf in Germany (Exterkate Group) and the Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas Margarita Salas of CSIC in Madrid, Spain (Rivas Group).

Synthetic cells hold great promise in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. However, molecular payloads synthesised inside synthetic cells must be secreted and new molecular building blocks or drugs must be delivered to synthetic cells in a smart and programmable way. Condensates have recently been shown to interact with membranes in a rich and dynamic way, including the possibility of entering  giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) via endocytosis. In this project, you will develop synthetic cells and condensates that exhibit a tunable affinity for the GUV inner membrane. The membrane affinity will be controlled via biochemical pathways that regulate ATP levels and that regulate the self-organisation of protein filaments. Enzyme-controlled condensates will be directed to the membrane, where condensate property modulation and membrane remodelling are used to directly uptake or  secrete condensates through membrane wrapping to deliver biomolecular payloads concentrated inside the condensates. This may enable future use of synthetic cells for the development of RNA and protein-based therapeutics.

You will communicate your findings in papers in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. You will also be involved in training and teaching BSc and MSc students.

Selected References:

• S. Javed, E. Spruijt, Spontaneous wrapping of coacervates by lipid bilayers upon heat shock creates resilient and intact membranized coacervates, ChemRxiv (2024); DOI 10.26434/chemrxiv-2024-f4gls
• T. Lu, S. Liese, L. Schoenmakers, C.A. Weber, W.T.S. Huck and E. Spruijt, Endocytosis of coacervates into liposomes, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144 (30), 13451-13455 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c04096 
• M. Abbas, W.P. Lipinski, K.K. Nakashima, W.T.S. Huck and E. Spruijt, A short peptide synthon for liquid-liquid phase separation, Nature Chemistry 13, 1046-1054 (2021); https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-021-00788-x 
• K.K. Nakashima, M.H.I. van Haren, A.A.M. André, I. Robu and E. Spruijt, Active coacervate droplets are protocells that grow and resist Ostwald ripening, Nature Commun. 12, 3819 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24111-x  

Profile

• You have a Master’s degree in molecular life sciences, chemistry, chemical biology or a related discipline.
• You have demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: biomolecular condensates, coacervates, membrane biophysics, enzymology, colloidal physical chemistry.
• You have excellent communication skills and a good command of both written and spoken English.
• You meet the EU MSCA doctoral network mobility criteria: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. 

We are

The Spruijt Lab has extensive experience in designing and characterising model biomolecular condensates and studying their impact on enzymatic networks, protein aggregation and membrane deformation. The main objective of this project is to harness the power and versatility of enzymatic networks to achieve spatiotemporal, and genetically programmable control over biomolecular condensates inside synthetic cells. Enzymes involved in the ATP metabolism will be localised to peptide-based condensates and their activity will be used to modulate the condensate surface tension, charge and material properties. The aim is to develop a programmable approach for localisation and membrane adhesion of condensates in synthetic cells, ultimately leading to exocytosis and division of these synthetic cells. This project will advance our understanding of condensate dynamics and function, both in synthetic biology and in living cells.

Further information on the research interests of the Spruijt Group can be found on https://www.spruijtlab.com

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.
We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.
Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,872 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,670 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Evan Spruijt. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place online at a date (in consultation with you) between 6 and 20 January. The second interviews will take place online at a date (in consultation with you) between 3 and 24 February. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.
We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

Application deadline 05 January 2025

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.

Would you like more information?

Dr E. Spruijt (Evan)

evan.spruijt@ru.nl