VU University Amsterdam Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences
f/m
Amsterdam, 1081 HV (Noord-Holland), hours per week
Job description
Function title: PhD position
The department of Molecular Cell Physiology at the Faculty Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, offers a PhD position in the NWO-funded Computational Life Sciences project “Microbial ecosystems and multiple environment stoichiometric analyses (MEMESA)”.
Project
The NWO Computational Life Sciences program funds research on biological systems using theoretical and modelling approaches. The MEMESA project will use computational methods (flux balance analysis, metabolic modelling) to study the regulation of prokaryotic metabolic networks in relation to environmental conditions and the presence of other microorganisms in microbial ecosystems.
Task description
You will develop theoretical approaches to establish optimal metabolic flux distributions (using mixed-integer linear programming techniques with flux balance analysis; FBA) for microorganisms that function in dynamic microbial ecosystems. Multiple optimization criteria will be applied; at the organism (intracellular) and ecosystem level (intercellular). You will study the plasticity of metabolic networks as function of different environments by considering optimal regulation strategies. This will require development of theoretical flux analyses approaches to deal with partially-characterized microbial ecosystems. To do so, FBA will be merged with coarse-grained metabolic network descriptions. You will work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of two biologists and one mathematician as supervisors and two postdocs, a biomathematician or computational biologist (to be hired) and a programmer. You will work closely with the postdoctoral researcher, the tasks will be divided based on your experience and interests, and those of the postdoctoral researcher.
Requirements
Required education/skills:We seek an enthusiastic, motivated person with an MSc degree in bioengineering, bioprocess technology, biophysics, biomathematics, computational biology or systems biology. Considering the computational nature of the project, the applicant should have affinity with computer modelling and linear algebra. Preferably the applicant will be familiar with basic microbial physiology and regulation of microbial metabolism. You should be able to function in a multidisciplinary environment.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Post-doctorates(Scientific discipline: Engineering)
Organization
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has been a renowned cultural, scientific and commercial centre for many centuries. It was here, in 1880, that the VU University Amsterdam first opened its doors to students. VU stands for 'Vrije Universiteit', which means 'Free University'. Here, 'free' refers to freedom of state and church interference. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was established in 1880 by orthodox protestants. Nowadays it aims to be inspiring, innovative and involved.
Throughout the past century, the university has continued to expand. It now comprises twelve faculties and has teaching facilities for 18,000 students.
Click here for an overview of faculties and institutes: http://www.english.vu.nl/About_the_VU/
The university campus and university hospital are situated in the south-western part of Amsterdam, one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands. The international airport of Schiphol-Amsterdam is 10 kilometres away, just 8 minutes by train. With more than fifty undergraduate (or bachelor’s) programmes and almost a hundred postgraduate (or master’s) programmes, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a wide choice of study options. The programmes are of a high quality, the atmosphere is very conducive to study, and the teaching staff is easily accessible.
The Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences is the result of the merger between the former Faculty of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Environmental Studies. The Faculty is offering education and doing research in the fields of:
Earth Sciences (physical geography and geology)
Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Geoarchaeology
Public Health
Environmental Studies
Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: temporary
Additional conditions of employment:
The appointment will initially be for 12 months starting 1 November 2008 at the latest. After a successful evaluation the contract will be prolonged with 36 months. The employment will have to result in a written thesis by the end of this period. Our fringe benefits of employment can be found at www.vu.nl/vacatures.
Salary
The salary is according to the standards for PhD researchers and is € 2.000.- during the first year and increases to € 2.558.- during the fourth year , based on a full-time employment.
Additional Information
Additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
You can apply for this job before 21-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty Earth and Life Sciences
Dr.J.M.R.M. Neutelings
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
E-mail: falw-vacatures@falw.vu.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 1.2008.00181.
Amsterdam, 1081 HV (Noord-Holland), hours per week
Job description
Function title: PhD position
The department of Molecular Cell Physiology at the Faculty Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, offers a PhD position in the NWO-funded Computational Life Sciences project “Microbial ecosystems and multiple environment stoichiometric analyses (MEMESA)”.
Project
The NWO Computational Life Sciences program funds research on biological systems using theoretical and modelling approaches. The MEMESA project will use computational methods (flux balance analysis, metabolic modelling) to study the regulation of prokaryotic metabolic networks in relation to environmental conditions and the presence of other microorganisms in microbial ecosystems.
Task description
You will develop theoretical approaches to establish optimal metabolic flux distributions (using mixed-integer linear programming techniques with flux balance analysis; FBA) for microorganisms that function in dynamic microbial ecosystems. Multiple optimization criteria will be applied; at the organism (intracellular) and ecosystem level (intercellular). You will study the plasticity of metabolic networks as function of different environments by considering optimal regulation strategies. This will require development of theoretical flux analyses approaches to deal with partially-characterized microbial ecosystems. To do so, FBA will be merged with coarse-grained metabolic network descriptions. You will work in an interdisciplinary team consisting of two biologists and one mathematician as supervisors and two postdocs, a biomathematician or computational biologist (to be hired) and a programmer. You will work closely with the postdoctoral researcher, the tasks will be divided based on your experience and interests, and those of the postdoctoral researcher.
Requirements
Required education/skills:We seek an enthusiastic, motivated person with an MSc degree in bioengineering, bioprocess technology, biophysics, biomathematics, computational biology or systems biology. Considering the computational nature of the project, the applicant should have affinity with computer modelling and linear algebra. Preferably the applicant will be familiar with basic microbial physiology and regulation of microbial metabolism. You should be able to function in a multidisciplinary environment.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Post-doctorates(Scientific discipline: Engineering)
Organization
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has been a renowned cultural, scientific and commercial centre for many centuries. It was here, in 1880, that the VU University Amsterdam first opened its doors to students. VU stands for 'Vrije Universiteit', which means 'Free University'. Here, 'free' refers to freedom of state and church interference. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was established in 1880 by orthodox protestants. Nowadays it aims to be inspiring, innovative and involved.
Throughout the past century, the university has continued to expand. It now comprises twelve faculties and has teaching facilities for 18,000 students.
Click here for an overview of faculties and institutes: http://www.english.vu.nl/About_the_VU/
The university campus and university hospital are situated in the south-western part of Amsterdam, one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands. The international airport of Schiphol-Amsterdam is 10 kilometres away, just 8 minutes by train. With more than fifty undergraduate (or bachelor’s) programmes and almost a hundred postgraduate (or master’s) programmes, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a wide choice of study options. The programmes are of a high quality, the atmosphere is very conducive to study, and the teaching staff is easily accessible.
The Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences is the result of the merger between the former Faculty of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Environmental Studies. The Faculty is offering education and doing research in the fields of:
Earth Sciences (physical geography and geology)
Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Geoarchaeology
Public Health
Environmental Studies
Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: temporary
Additional conditions of employment:
The appointment will initially be for 12 months starting 1 November 2008 at the latest. After a successful evaluation the contract will be prolonged with 36 months. The employment will have to result in a written thesis by the end of this period. Our fringe benefits of employment can be found at www.vu.nl/vacatures.
Salary
The salary is according to the standards for PhD researchers and is € 2.000.- during the first year and increases to € 2.558.- during the fourth year , based on a full-time employment.
Additional Information
Additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
- About the organization (http://www.vu.nl)
- About the department (http://www.falw.vu.nl/english/index.cfm)
- About the function (http://www.vu.nl/vacatures)
You can apply for this job before 21-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty Earth and Life Sciences
Dr.J.M.R.M. Neutelings
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
E-mail: falw-vacatures@falw.vu.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 1.2008.00181.
