BIPED2 Application Portal

Currently open positions

Postdoc position: quantitative biology of non-growing bacteria (100%)

How does life emerge from molecules and cells? This is the central question that motivates us. With curiosity and passion, we investigate the entire spectrum ranging from the atom to the organism. The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 32 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates. Become part of our community!

A postdoctoral position is available in the research group of Prof. Erik van Nimwegen. The position is initially for two years, funded by an SNF grant, but may be extended upon mutual agreement. The postdoctoral fellow will be supervised by T. Julou and E. van Nimwegen. The position is available immediately and priority will be given to candidates that can start relatively soon.

The project

The topic of this project concerns Escherichia coli during stationary phase, as a case study of non-growing bacteria. Although bacteria in the wild likely spend the majority of their time in non-growing states, relatively little is known about cell physiology and gene expression in such states, especially at the single-cell level. Our lab uses novel quantitative approaches, such as the one we recently developed to quantitatively track growth and gene expression with single-cell resolution in bacteria exposed to controlled environmental changes [1, 2]. We are interested in both physiological and evolutionary aspects of stationary phase: What are the different physiological states that can be attained during stationary phase? What is the extent and dynamics of cell heterogeneity during stationary, and how does this heterogeneity affect survival, stress-resistance, and the ability of cells to regrow when exposed to new nutrients? Are there evolutionary trade-off(s) between growth-related traits and starvation-related traits? To answer such questions, the candidate is expected to combine experimental techniques from molecular biology, genetics, video-microscopy, microfluidics and microfabrication, with cutting-edge data analysis and modelling techniques, which may be undertaken in collaboration with theoretical researchers in the lab. The project will be tailored to the interests and skills of the successful candidate, and will take advantage of several recent results already obtained in our group.

Your profile

Applicants should have completed a PhD in a relevant field such as biophysics, quantitative biology, microbiology, or evolution. Previous experience with microscopy and microfluidics will be valued. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in programming for data analysis, and/or in mathematical modelling.

Application / Contact

The application should include a brief cover letter, explaining how your qualifications and experience make you a good fit for this position, together with a full, up-to-date CV and addresses of two references. Please apply online using only the mandatory fields, plus the field for references and attachments (cover letter and cv) – other fields will not be considered.

We will review applications as they are received until the position is filled. Please note that only online applications via the application portal will be accepted. For general inquiries please send an email to thomas.julou@unibas.ch

The van Nimwegen Lab [3] at Basel University’s Biozentrum is an international and multidisciplinary team with extensive expertise in the field of transcription regulation, cell-to-cell variability, genome evolution, and probabilistic data analysis techniques. A special feature of our group is that it includes both experimental and theoretical researchers which work together to combine cutting edge statistical and computational tools with quantitative experiments. A list of our group's publications can be found on Google Scholar [4].

[1] 1. M. Kaiser, et al., Nat Commun. 9, 212 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02505-0

[2] T. Julou, et al., PLoS Biol. 18, e3000952 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000952

[3] http://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/nimwegen/

[4] http://scholar.google.ch/citations?user=N24KB1wAAAAJ

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PhD student position (100%, funded) in synapse-type specific proteome studies

Start date is by mutual arrangement, with the possibility to start immediately

How does life emerge from molecules and cells? This is the central question that motivates us. With curiosity and passion, we investigate the entire spectrum ranging from the atom to the organism. The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 32 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates. Become part of our community!

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated PhD student for an SNF funded project led by Marc van Oostrum in the laboratory of Peter Scheiffele.

The project

In an interdisciplinary project supported by an Ambizione grant of the Swiss National Science Foundation, we will investigate the molecular diversity of synaptic proteomes from in-vivo brain structures (see van Oostrum et. al., Cell 2023. Conceptually the research aims at understanding how synaptic proteins determine synapse-type specific connectivity and function. The project integrates molecular neurobiology with systems neuroscience and combines state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies with fluorescence activated sorting and in vivo labelling of defined synaptic populations within neuronal circuits. We are looking for a highly motivated student that is excited to learn and develop new technologies in order to drive biology.

Your profile

MSc or equivalent degree with a strong interest in interdisciplinary neurobiology across scales from molecules to circuits. The project involves mass spectrometry-based proteomics, stereotactic surgery, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, genome editing methods, and computational biology. Experience in any of these domains is benefical, but not required. More important are self-motivation, independence and analytical thinking of the applicant. The position is funded and salary is according to institutional guidelines.

We offer

A project at the frontier of science to solve fundamental questions in neurobiology. You will have the unique opportunity to join a small team with close guidance by SNF Ambizione project grantee Marc van Oostrum while at the same time being embedded in an internationally leading group of dynamic and collaborative scientists, Phd students, postdocs and technicians. The Biozentrum provides a highly stimulating collaborative research environment with a fantastic infrastructure in a brand-new building, as well as state-of-the-art technology platforms for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.

Basel is an international city with people from 150 nations. Located on the border where three countries meet – Switzerland, Germany and France – it is Europe’s most important life sciences hub. Basel provides a high standard of living and a rich cultural atmosphere.

Application / Contact

Applications should include:
  1. Your up-to-date CV with contact details of at least two referees
  2. A brief personal statement, explaining how your research skills and interests align with the aims of this project and the research focus of our group (max 2 pages)
  3. All required diplomas, including MSc confirmation and grades
  4. Contact of 2 previous mentors for letters of reference

Review of applications will begin immediately and proceed until the position has been filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.
Please note that only online applications via the application portal will be accepted.

For any informal enquiries, please contact: marc.vanoostrum@unibas.ch
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Test Application

This is a test application. Do not apply here - it is only used for testing.

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International PhD Program "Biozentrum PhD Fellowships" Summer Call 2024

Excellent students from all over the world are encouraged to apply for the prestigious "Biozentrum PhD Fellowships" program. The aim of the fellowships which are sponsored by the Werner Siemens-Foundation and the University of Basel is to select and promote highly talented graduate students in the area of Life Sciences. The fellowships offer direct access to the PhD program of the Biozentrum, University of Basel, additional financial support, a rotation-based selection of the research group, and support for the attendance of scientific meetings and courses during the PhD.
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Biozentrum Excellence Scholarship for Master's Study in Physics of Life - 2024

The Biozentrum offers a limited number of scholarships for international candidates who are applying for the MSc Physics of Life with outstanding records of accomplishment. These scholarships are highly competitive and the selection criteria are primarily academic excellence and motivation.
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