The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) in Amsterdam is a Comprehensive Cancer Centre combining a hospital and research laboratories in a single independent organisation. The groups of Titia Sixma and Anastassis Perrakis work in the Division of Biochemistry focusing on Integrative Structural Biology. We offer an outstanding scientific environment with plenty of opportunities for learning and development, and we are a social and collaborative group.
NKI are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, researcher to join the Division of Biochemistry, taking responsibility for maintaining our cryo-EM facility, training users, and participating in related research projects. You will be participating in a highly motivated team that has access to new in-house equipment (JEOL F2 200 kV with a K2 detector), regular access to the Netherlands Center for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN), participates in European collaborative projects for Structural Biology (iNEXt-Discovery, Instruct) , and has exciting plans, and various research projects and ideas. The cryo-EM facility is also affiliated to the Oncode Institute, similar to the NKI Protein Facility and the “GPU facility for artificial intelligence and deep learning applications” which are directly relevant to the scope of the cryo-EM work.
As part of the team you will be responsible for routine maintenance of the cryo-EM, communicating with Jeol, ensuring the smooth function of the peripheral equipment (Vitrobot, glow dischargers, etc.), training new users to ensure they can use all equipment. You will also have the opportunity to work on collaborative research projects within the NKI or with the Oncode community, or engage in collaborative research efforts within the Instruct and iNEXT-Discovery consortia.
The Department of Biochemistry where you will be based, has an interest in structural studies coupled to functional analysis. Facilities include the ability to produce and purify proteins in bacterial, insect, and mammalian cells, and a well-equipped macromolecular biophysics laboratory that are sites in the Instruct Centre NL. Equipment for structural analysis, in addition to our cryo-EM facility offers access to high-throughput crystallisation robotics. Dedicated computing facilities include privileged access to both CPU and GPU clusters.
Your profile
The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated research scientist with post-doctoral experience and a proven track-record for working with modern cryo-electron microscopes. Strong personal skills and enthusiasm to interact with all lab members and guide them through all practicalities of cryo-EM, as well as to work together with equipment vendors to ensure proper functioning of all equipment is necessary. You will have plenty of opportunities to participate in research projects in a collaborative manner. Some experience with the software and computing environments for EM is desired; the hardware is supported by an expert computing team.
Requirements:
• An MSc or PhD degree in a related discipline and strong practical experience;
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary team;
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
Your career opportunities and terms of employment
Approximately 550 people work in the research laboratories. Research discussions, lectures and seminars in English and a large number of Dutch and non-Dutch postdocs, students and staff members contribute to the stimulating and international atmosphere of the Institute. We offer an inspiring and interactive research environment, state-of-the-art facilities, training, a competitive salary (including possibilities for tax-reduction for non-Dutch candidates) and housing facilities in the vicinity of the Institute. The Institute is located close to the city centre of Amsterdam and the international Schiphol airport.
The appointment will initially be for 2 years and can be made open-end after that period. The initial gross salary per month ranges from €3.664- to € 4.111 according to qualifications and experience. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the CAO Ziekenhuizen (Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals).
More information, including how to apply, can be found on the NKI website.
