Postdoc on Implementation of serial ED for protein crystals on a unique ultracold electron source

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e); Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 49,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ABP pension scheme

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

Leave: 29→41 days/year

On-campus child care

Sports center access

Wellbeing support (OpenUp)

Job summary

TU/e invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to lead the implementation of Serial ED on a new pulsed electron source setup. You will join the Coherence and Quantum Technology group within the Department of Applied Physics and Science Education in Eindhoven, working closely with PhD candidates and technicians.

The project explores time-resolved protein crystallography with electrons, on a table-top platform.

Qualifications

• Motivated researcher with a PhD in serial ED (or microED), preferably on protein crystals.
• Experience or proven affinity with method development and/or instrumentation development.
• Ability to work in a team, openness to new ideas, and ability to communicate with people outside your field.
• Take initiative and manage your own workload.
• Experience with mechanical/optical design, complex optical setups, charged particle optics, lasers and nonlinear optics, high vacuum or high voltage is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead on the implementation of Serial ED on the new setup.
• Embed in a team with two PhD candidates, the PI, and experienced technicians.
• Contribute to development and execution within the Coherence and Quantum Technology group.

Skills

Scientific research

Experimentation

Communication

Leadership

Education

PhD in serial ED or microED (protein crystals)

Tools

Mechanical design

Optical design

Complex optical setups

Charged particle optics

Lasers

Nonlinear optics

High vacuum

High voltage

Job description

Job description

Do you want to contribute to the development of a new, highly innovative instrument? Are you excited to apply your knowledge in an interdisciplinary environment?

Information

In the ERC-funded project “Cool T-ReX” we are developing a unique pulsed electron source with exceptionally high transverse coherence. With this source we aim to demonstrate time-resolved protein crystallography for the first time using electrons instead of X-rays, on a table-top setup. This demonstration will be based on the principle of Serial ED, with protein crystals provided by collaborators and using Graphene Liquid Cells assembled using a commercial solution. While our research group is world‑leading on the development of the ultra‑cold electron source technology, your role in this project is to take the lead on the implementation of Serial ED on our new setup.

You will be embedded in a team with two PhD candidates, the PI (Julius Huijts) and several experienced technicians. We are part of the larger Coherence and Quantum Technology group in the Department of Applied Physics.

Requirements

Motivated researcher, with a PhD in serial ED (or microED), preferably on protein crystals.

Experience or proven affinity with method development and/or instrumentation development (please highlight this in your application).

You can work in a team, are open to new ideas, can communicate with people outside your own field (please give an example in your application).

You take initiative, are able to organize your own work load.

Experience with any of the following can be advantageous (please highlight this in your application):

• Mechanical and optical design
• Complex optical setups
• Charged particle optics
• Lasers and nonlinear optics
• High vacuum
• High voltage

Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.

Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you:

• Full‑time employment for 2½ years.
• Starting date is somewhat flexible, but ideally Feb 1 2027.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10, ranging from € 4,422 (step 4) to € 5,760 gross base salary per month (full‑time).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year‑end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part‑time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High‑quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on‑campus children’s day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme ) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

Employer

TU/e

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands‑on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high‑tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research‑driven department housing high‑quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales.