In this project, the candidate will work on a multidisciplinary project in collaboration with international collaborators. The goal is to develop a photoswitchable antibody that can be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by infiltration of immune cells into the synovial membrane within the joints with concomitant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Current medication relies on the administration of methotrexate and antibodies against these pro-inflammatory cytokines. Because this medication inhibits the immune system through the entire body and not only at the sites of RA related inflammation, the patients suffer from an increased risk towards infections.

In this project, you will develop a new line of treatment for RA, which inhibits the immune system more selectively. To this end, you will express in E. coli antibody fragments containing a cysteine mutation close to the antigen binding site. In a second part of the project, you will synthesize a chemical linker containing a photoswitchable linker, a bulcky group and a malemide functionality for conjugation to the antibody fragment. By conjugating this linker close to the antigen-binding site we anticipate to control the position of the bulcky group using light as a spatiotemporal switch. Using light of a specific wavelength will position the bulcky group close to the antigen-binding site thereby preventing binding of the cytokine and thus inactivating the antibody. Upon irradiation with a different wavelength, the bulcky group pivots away and binding of the cytokine is enabled.

As such, the affinity of the antibody fragment can be modulated using visible light. In practice this would mean that sites of RA related inflammation can selectively be irradiated to turn on the antibody fragment there where it is needed. This project requires a strong interest and knowledge on protein expression and organic chemistry.The first goal is to obtain synthetic layers that can recognize and bind the bacteria. Following, these layers will be incorporated into a sensor in order to characterize them in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, the project includes the exploration of the sensor in potential application fields such as environmental monitoring, health diagnosis or food safety.

Research within the Sensor Engineering research group at the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University is focused on developing innovative sensor technologies for implementation in diverse fields ranging from medical diagnostics to food safety assessment. For this position, we are looking for a motivated PhD student with a master degree and a solid background in bio-, organic, polymer or analytical chemistry. The candidate will work in a multicultural, interdisciplinary team consisting of engineers, chemists and biomedical scientists. The research group has developed extensive expertise in combining sensor technology with chemistry and biomedical engineering to acquire knowledge and streamline applications for use in real life settings.

As a PhD student your tasks include:

• Lead your own research project independently (although supervision by expert researchers will be provided)
• Study literature
• Develop research plan
• Experimentation and data processing
• Scientific Dissemination: writing articles and participating in international conferences
• Contribute to the teaching activities of the department, mostly as a tutor or lab supervisor

Potential candidates will work in a young, ambitious team consisting of researchers trained in various scientific disciplines. This stimulating, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment requires a candidate that has outstanding communication skills and is flexible enough to quickly adapt to new surroundings. The ideal candidate is a team player with strongly developed analytical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.

Furthermore, we are looking for a candidate with:

• Master Degree in chemistry or biochemistry (or equivalent)
• Strong interest in material science and interdisciplinary engineering
• At least B2-level English proficiency (or equivalent)
• Prior experience in molecular biology skills (e.g. cell culturing), interface or sensor engineering are a plus
• EU-valid driver’s license B is a plus

As PhD-candidate at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD-candidate, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from € 2.770,00 and € 3.539,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.
  The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.