What are you going to do
? This project focuses on developing and applying a forefront computational framework for predicting nanoplastic impact on protein function. You will:
• Automate descriptor discovery for chemical and conformational transitions of proteins interacting with nanoplastics;
• Perform machine learning-augmented free-energy calculations;
• Build predictive models to effectively screen for relevant nanoplastic-induced changes in a protein’s free-energy landscape;
• Apply the framework to various nanoplastics and proteins to deliver actionable predictions for medical centers, policy makers and plastic manufacturers.
Tasks and responsibilities:
• Conduct independent research in the Computational Soft Matter Lab;
• Collaborate with the Computational Chemistry group at HIMS, the Computational Science Lab at IvI, and experimental groups at HIMS, the Institute of Physics (IoP) and the Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC);
• Publish and present your work within the project and on international scientific platforms, such as peer-reviewed international journals, books and conferences;
• Contribute to the supervision of BSc/MSc student projects;
• Contribute to the teaching activities of the department.
Your experience and profile
• An MSc degree in science, preferably in physics, engineering physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or computational science with a specialization in natural science;
• A strong background in physics, chemistry, and/or computational science;
• Experience with molecular simulation is preferred;
• Experience with machine learning is preferred;
• Good programming skills;
• Good communication skills in oral and written English;
• Strong initiative and good time management skills;
• Interest in collaborating with students, PhDs and postdoctoral researchers in related projects and research groups within and outside the Netherlands.
Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is November to February . This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2. - €3.. UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile name profile and level is applicable.
The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
• holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with + different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with % salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.