Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG)
Wageningen, 6708 PD (Gelderland), 38 hours per week
Job description
Mars has long inspired scientists as another habitat for life. Recent evidence for the presence of water on the surface of Mars reinforces this inspiration. In this project, we will exploit emerging technology for the specific detection of traces of extraterrestrial life, the Life Marker Chip, which is based on antibody-mediated detection. The LMC has been designed for robust detection of biomarkers of past and present life, including cellular components of living organisms (proteins, DNA, lipids, etc.), or degradation products thereof. This project will explore aptamers as specific and sensitive affinity ligands as alternatives to antibodies. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that are selected from combinatorial libraries for their ability to specifically recognize target molecules, previously selected for the LMC. Aptamers will be selected using kinetic capillary electrophoresis strategies. Using the LMC optical detection platform, we will optimize and apply these instruments for the detection of life under extreme conditions, as are found on the Martian (sub-)surface, using simulations of such conditions. Improved sensitivity and specificity are expected to also contribute to the wide applicability of the LMC for terrestrial applications in diagnostic analysis. Additional variants of the LMC will be developed to allow for robust detection of biomarkers of specific organisms and their metabolic properties important for processes occurring under extreme environments, ranging from detection of traces of early life, to the robust and remote supervision of biotechnological processes. The project is funded by the SRON-NWO User Support Programme Space Research. You will work in the Molecular Ecology Group (Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University), in collaboration with the Geomicrobiology group (Molecular Cell Physiology, VU University Amsterdam, Dr. W. R%u05E6ling) and the Astrobiology group (Leiden University, Prof. Dr. P. Ehrenfreund).
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
University Graduate
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG)
AFSG is the organisation for development and transfer of knowledge in the field of sustainable applications of agro-components for safe and healthy food and non-food products.
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1,5 years 2,5 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
You will be appointed initially for a fulltime position for 18 months at the Laboratory of Microbiology at Wageningen University. It is anticipated that the appointment will be extended to 4 years. Gross maximum salary per month €2000 in the first year, growing to €2558 in the last year based on full-time employment.
Hay-profile: Promovendus (PhD student).
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Hauke Smidt
Telephone number: 0317-483102
E-mail address: hauke.smidt@wur.nl
Application
You can apply for this job before 03-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Wageningen UR - AFSG
Bode 118
I. Lamers
P.O.Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: afsg-vacatures@wur.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AFSG 08.073.
Job description
Mars has long inspired scientists as another habitat for life. Recent evidence for the presence of water on the surface of Mars reinforces this inspiration. In this project, we will exploit emerging technology for the specific detection of traces of extraterrestrial life, the Life Marker Chip, which is based on antibody-mediated detection. The LMC has been designed for robust detection of biomarkers of past and present life, including cellular components of living organisms (proteins, DNA, lipids, etc.), or degradation products thereof. This project will explore aptamers as specific and sensitive affinity ligands as alternatives to antibodies. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that are selected from combinatorial libraries for their ability to specifically recognize target molecules, previously selected for the LMC. Aptamers will be selected using kinetic capillary electrophoresis strategies. Using the LMC optical detection platform, we will optimize and apply these instruments for the detection of life under extreme conditions, as are found on the Martian (sub-)surface, using simulations of such conditions. Improved sensitivity and specificity are expected to also contribute to the wide applicability of the LMC for terrestrial applications in diagnostic analysis. Additional variants of the LMC will be developed to allow for robust detection of biomarkers of specific organisms and their metabolic properties important for processes occurring under extreme environments, ranging from detection of traces of early life, to the robust and remote supervision of biotechnological processes. The project is funded by the SRON-NWO User Support Programme Space Research. You will work in the Molecular Ecology Group (Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University), in collaboration with the Geomicrobiology group (Molecular Cell Physiology, VU University Amsterdam, Dr. W. R%u05E6ling) and the Astrobiology group (Leiden University, Prof. Dr. P. Ehrenfreund).
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
University Graduate
- You have an MSc degree in microbiology/molecular biology or a related field
- You are an enthousiastic, motivated person, with affinity with microbial ecology, astrobiology and biosensor development
- You are a team-player, and have good communicative and collaborative skills (also in English)
- You are willing to participate in education at Wageningen University
- You are eager to participate in the WIMEK/SENSE Ph.D. program
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG)
AFSG is the organisation for development and transfer of knowledge in the field of sustainable applications of agro-components for safe and healthy food and non-food products.
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1,5 years 2,5 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
You will be appointed initially for a fulltime position for 18 months at the Laboratory of Microbiology at Wageningen University. It is anticipated that the appointment will be extended to 4 years. Gross maximum salary per month €2000 in the first year, growing to €2558 in the last year based on full-time employment.
Hay-profile: Promovendus (PhD student).
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Hauke Smidt
Telephone number: 0317-483102
E-mail address: hauke.smidt@wur.nl
Application
You can apply for this job before 03-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Wageningen UR - AFSG
Bode 118
I. Lamers
P.O.Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: afsg-vacatures@wur.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AFSG 08.073.
