Are you curious about how round male germ cells transform into streamlined sperm? Fascinated by proteins 3D structure? Eager to explore the limits of cryo-electron microscopy? Join our ERC funded team as a PhD candidate for four years of excellent training on an exciting and rewarding project. You will join a dynamic and enthusiastic research group that combines state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) with biochemical assays to advance our knowledge on sperm biology.

Your job
Over the past years, the Cellular Structural Biology of Fertilization research group of Dr. Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai has been at the forefront of using cryo-EM and cryo-ET to study sperm at the molecular level. The group resolved the in-situ structures of mammalian sperm centrioles, axoneme and mitochondria-cytoskeleton tethering complex (EMBO J 2021 40:e107410; Nat Comm 2021 12:3803; PNAS 2021 118:e2110996118). By combining cryo-EM and AI-based molecular modelling, the group has identified proteins that form an interconnected network within the lumen of the axonemal doublet microtubules (Cell 2023 186:2880).

Pursuing a PhD in our group will offer you the opportunity to:

• work in an innovative, well- equipped and scientifically stimulating environment;
• learn cryo-EM single particle analysis grid preparation, data collection and processing;
• learn cryo-ET with focused ion beam milling and sub-tomogram averaging;
• learn cryo-EM and cryo-ET image analysis and molecular modelling software packages, including CryoSparc, Relion, PEET, Alphafold and ChimeraX.
• gain a molecular understanding of sperm biology;
• develop academic skills such as effective scientific communications (written and oral), building collaboration networks and teaching.

Practically, you will:

• plan and execute experimental studies in the area of sperm biology;
• isolate tissues and primary cells from mice, rats, or bulls;
• perform cell biological, biochemical and immunofluorescence analysis of cell and tissue samples
• perform cryo-EM single particle analysis and cellular cryo-ET with focused ion beam milling;
• perform cryo-EM and cryo-ET image processing;
• provide graphical documentation and evaluation for conferences, scientific publications, and reports.

This PhD project is the right fit for you, if you:

• have (or are close to completing) a Master’s degree in Molecular Life Sciences, ideally with a focus on Structural Biochemistry, or a closely related field;
• demonstrate advanced (theoretical) knowledge in several of the following areas: cryo-Electron Microscopy, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Imaging, Molecular modelling, Structural Bioinformatics;
• are highly motivated, able to deal with challenges, creative and thrive in a collaborative environment;
• have excellent oral and written skills in English at C1 level.

Previous hands-on experience in cryo-EM is not required but will be considered a significant advantage.

We offer:

• an academic environment with many world-class scientists, where English is the main language;
• academic training in our Molecular Life Sciences Programme;
• a supportive environment with a commitment to academic development and maintaining a healthy work-life balance;
• a position for four years;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible terms of employment based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

The work will be performed in the research group of Dr. Zeev-Ben-Mordehai, which is part of the Structural Biochemistry section. The group offers a collaborative environment with an extensive computing infrastructure for data processing. We have access to the in-house Electron Microscopy Centre, which houses instrumentation for cryo-EM and particularly cryo-ET.

The Structural Biochemistry group is part of the Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research which coordinates the Molecular Life Sciences PhD programme and offers regular seminars by scientists from all over the world, access to advanced courses and regular PhD evenings for PhDs and postdocs to present their work and enhance social cohesion within the Bijvoet Centre. The Bijvoet Centre comprises six research sections that form a collaborative environment focussing on elucidating the structure of the biomolecules that make up all living organisms. In addition, The Bijvoet Centre has a state-of-the-art Protein Research Centre that is equipped for protein production, purification and analysis.