Postdoc Combining Microscopy with Microbiology

At the van der Wel laboratory, Electron Microscopy Centre Amsterdam (EMCA), we are looking for a post-doc with an interest in Electron Microscopy. In the project we will take a chemical approach to study the biology of the most crucial virulence mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The novel developed technique allows specific decoration of the mycobacterial cell surface with any protein of interest. We can apply this to study a crucial pathogenicity determinant: escape of mycobacteria from the phagosome to the cytosol of the infected macrophage. We and others have demonstrated that the ESX-1 secretion system is responsible for the phagosomal escape of Mtb and that this escape is vital for the infection cycle of this bacterial pathogen.

Together with a PhD candidate you will screen ESX-1 substrates by placing them on the surface of the vaccine strain BCG in the Kuijl laboratory and monitor phagosomal escape using Electron Microscopy (see van der Niet mSpere., 2021, van der Wel et al., Cell 2007) in van der Wel laboratory. In addition, the PhD in the Kuijl laboratory will specifically label cytosolic mycobacteria, allowing us to separate them from their phagosomal counterparts and use transcriptomics to identify the adaptive responses associated with phagosomal escape. In this project you will generate fundamental knowledge on the virulence of mycobacteria and the process of phagosomal escape, both important targets of novel treatment strategies.

We are looking for a postdoc candidate with a background in biomedial sciences, biology or microbiology and an interest in (electron) microscopy, who can work independently but at the same time is a team player. You will work with Transmission Electron Microscopes ( Tecnai or Talos 120 kV) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (Zeiss Gemini FEG), and supporting equipment. You will perform cryo-sectioning and EM analysis but also use techniques like CLEM, cryo-EM and tomography. Experience with electron microscopy is a benefit but is not essential. An interest in microscopy and microbiology is a requirement!

• A flying start to your career in scientific research;
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare;
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world;
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV;
• A contract for 24 months;
• Salary scale 10: € 3.493 to € 5.504 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here;
• Holiday hours: 186,4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours;
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension;
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way;
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

The van der Wel laboratory is a small but enthusiastic group working on the subcellular trafficking of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the impact of antibiotics on these pathogenic mycobacteria. We collaborate with national and international institutes on mycobacteria related projects with a focus on microscopy. We specialize in Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fluorescence Microscopy and the combination of these techniques (CLEM). This project is a collaboration with the Coen Kuijl lab from Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, together with Jeffery Buter (Hanze Hogeschool Groningen), Louis Ates (BioNtech Germany) and Roland Brosch (Institute Pasteur Paris) and is sponsored by OenCW NWO M-2.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.