PhD position - Biochemical characterisation of signal integration in plants

Uva; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing assistance

ABP pension

PhD education program

Professional development courses

Dutch language courses

Job summary

The University of Amsterdam invites applications for a PhD candidate to investigate B4-RAF kinase signaling complexes in Arabidopsis. You will study how signalosomes assemble, localize, and contribute to stress resilience using cutting-edge proteomics, imaging and genetics.

Join a collaborative, international Plant Cell Biology group within SILS at Amsterdam Science Park. The position includes extensive training, teaching duties, and a clearly defined path to a PhD thesis over four years.

Qualifications

• MSc in molecular biology or biochemistry.
• Hands-on lab experience in at least two areas listed.
• Fluent English, able to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Identify and validate components of B4-RAF signalosome complexes.
• Establish assembly and localization under conditions; contribute to stress resilience.
• Design, perform, analyse and document experiments; write manuscripts.
• Collaborate with group members and assist in teaching and supervision.
• Engage in PhD training and international collaboration.

Skills

Fluent English

Plant molecular biology

Confocal microscopy

Proteomics

Protein–protein interactions

Lab technique planning

Education

MSc in molecular biology or biochemistry

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9 in plants

FRET-FLIM

Immunoprecipitation

Python/R data analysis

Job description

Join us in unlocking the secrets of plant signal integration!

Plants must cope with a wide diversity of stresses such as drought, soil salinity and pathogen attack. Their survival hinges on the continuously perception, integration and interpretation of an immense number of signals from the environment and generating the appropriate responses. Millions of years of evolution have allowed plants to adapt to almost every climate and has made them to masters of perceiving and responding to countless signals. These signals usually occur simultaneously, yet plant cells must rapidly turn this complex input into coordinated responses. Although much is known about responses to individual signals, the molecular mechanisms by which plants use dedicated proteins to integrate multiple co-occurring signals remain largely unexplored.

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate for the second PhD position in an NWO VIDI-funded project led by Dr. André Kuhn. This position focuses on elucidating the biochemical and cell-biological basis of a signal integration via B4-RAF kinase signalling complexes. You will join an ambitious, collaborative and international team in the Plant Cell Biology group within the Green Life Sciences cluster at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences from the University of Amsterdam.

This is what you will do

The overarching project investigates how plant cells rapidly integrate co-occurring osmotic, salinity and pathogen-derived signals. Your PhD project will examine B4-RAF protein kinases as intracellular signal integrators. These kinases are activated rapidly by diverse environmental stimuli and occur in distinct subcellular puncta, suggesting that they assemble into signalling complexes (signalosomes) that coordinate early cellular responses.

You will (1) identify and validate the components of B4-RAF signalling complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana, (2) establish how these complexes assemble and localize under distinct environmental conditions, and (3) determine how these complexes contribute to stress resilience. The work combines plant molecular biology, protein biochemistry, functional proteomics, quantitative live-cell imaging and genetics.

Core research activities include:

• identify candidate B4-RAF signalosome components through immunoprecipitation coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (IP–MS/MS), building on existing proximity-labelling datasets;
• validate protein interactions and co-localisation using approaches such as FRET-FLIM, co-immunoprecipitation and live-cell confocal imaging;
• generate and characterise Arabidopsis loss-of-function and fluorescent reporter lines;
• use microfluidics-coupled live-cell imaging to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics, environmental conditionality and subcellular localisation of B4-RAF signalling complexes;
• integrate proteomics, imaging and genetic datasets to develop mechanistic models of rapid plant signal integration.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• complete a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration (four years);
• systematically and independently design, perform, analyse and document experiments;
• be an active and responsible member of the research group;
• collaborate closely with other group members (incl. PhD candidate, technicians and postdoc);
• discuss work with group members and at departmental meetings, and incorporate feedback;
• take a leading role in writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• participate in the PhD training programme of the University of Amsterdam and the national graduate school Experimental Plant Sciences (EPS);
• assist with teaching and supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s students.

You will have the opportunity to:

• work at the interface of plant genetics, biochemistry, functional proteomics and quantitative imaging;
• present results at national and international scientific conferences;
• expand academic, professional and personal skills;
• contribute to science communication and outreach activities;
• thrive in a team that values impactful research and mutual support;
• combine the advantages that a collaborative project offers, including access to state-of-the-art research facilities at the Swammerdam Institute and the University of Amsterdam.

Your Profile

You are passionate about science and have a particular interest in biochemistry and cell biology. You are eager to understanding complex environmental signalling mechanisms in plants at the molecular level and have a strong interest in protein signalling mechanisms, especially kinase regulation, protein complexes or phosphorylation-dependent signalling. You enjoy combining experimental biochemistry with molecular genetics and quantitative microscopy. You are methodical, curious and able to take initiative, while also valuing close collaboration in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

Your experience:

• an MSc degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• demonstrated hands‑on laboratory experience in at least two of the following areas: protein biochemistry, (plant) molecular biology, confocal microscopy, proteomics and protein‑protein interaction assays;
• ability to plan experiments carefully, maintain high-quality laboratory records, analyse results critically and troubleshoot experimental work;
• fluent in English, both written and spoken;
• ability to work independently as well as constructively in an international team.

Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in plants or analysis of proteomics and/or imaging data (e.g. using Python or R) is a plus.

This is what we offer you

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 not later than February 1st, 2027. 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.

Your salary will range between €3,204 in the first year to €4,051 gross per month in the last year of employment, based on a fulltime employment (38 hours per week). This sum does not include the 8% holiday pay and the 8.3% end‑of‑year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non‑Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Amsterdam Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime);
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

You will work in this team

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high‑quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavour, food & agricultural, and high‑tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.

The Green Life Sciences cluster focusses on understanding the functioning of plants from basic developmental aspects to complex physiological traits. Research is carried out in five research groups (Plant Cell Biology, Plant Physiology, Molecular Plant Pathology Plant Hormone Biology and Development & (Epi)Genetics) to study plant biology at the level of molecules, cells, organisms and the interactions between organisms and their environment.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information?
Please contact: dr. André Kuhn, Assistant Professor; email: [e-mail]