Postdoc Joint Experiment -Theory Biophysics

Would you like to perform a mixture of experiment and theory to explore how algae sense light?

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are a photosynthetic algae that rely on light for photosynthesis and therefore survival. They detect light with a single eyespot that changes position during their motion; they then reorient their path towards or away from this source. The results of this project will help understand how these algae follow and adapt to stimuli. This will not only further our fundamental understanding for how organisms make decisions in a dynamic environment, but also help use steer algae into targetted microenvironments, with implications for designing living materials.

In this biophysics postdoctoral project, you will design and extend an experimental setup to measure the responsiveness chlamydomonas reinhardtii to light by imaging their motion. On the theoretical side, you will develop models for this motion, quantify the sensitivity to light and predict changes in motion for different stimuli; for this analysis, an interest in decision-making and stochastic processes is appreciated but not required.
The experiments will be performed in Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam's lab and the theoretical work will be done with Marianne Bauer. You will be welcome to also contribute your own ideas to this project!

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Bioengineering or a related discipline.
• Interest in developing experiments with algae.
• Interest and previous background in stochastic or statistical physics or computing.

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!

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.

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.

Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  .

Additional information
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Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 9 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter
• Transcripts
• Names of three academic references

Please note:

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