Our group is broadly interested in biological active matter, non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, and understanding the role of nonlinear mechanics in biological systems. For this position, we welcome applications from Postdoc candidates interested in research at the frontiers of experimental biophysics, mechanosensing, statistical physics, and bio-imaging.

We are developing experimental tools to study the response of biological systems (model and non-model organisms, including cyanobacteria, plants and dinoflagellates) to external mechanical forces, such as fluid flow. You will be part of a diverse and dynamic group of soft matter and biological physicists and will lead a series of projects in collaboration with theoretical physicists, experimental biochemists, and developmental biologists. We also encourage the development of independent creative projects aligned with your interests and expertise.

What are you going to do?

You will play a central role in the experimental efforts within our fluidlab. Your responsibilities encompass the development and application of non-standard experimental tools that combine mechanical studies on small scale with advanced microscopy, as well as the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the data. Your findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations. You have the opportunity to contribute to the supervision of Ph.D., Master, and Bachelor students and participate in organising workshops and symposia.

You will:

• Make and use non-standard experimental technique for flow and mechano-sensing
• Use advanced microscopy for single celled and multicellular systems
• Use image analysis and statistical physics to analyse experimental data
• Collaborate with the other experimentalists as well as the theorists and computationalists
• Present your results at international workshops and conferences.
• Work collaboratively and participate actively in scientific discussions between research groups in the Institute of Physics (e.g., Soft Matter Group, Computational Soft Matter Group, Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena: DIEP)
• Take part in supervision of PhD, Master and Bachelor students

What do you have to offer?

You have:

• a PhD degree in one of the followings fields: physics, biophysics, or experimental biology
• creative, curious, and driven nature
• a track record in experimental physics, biophysics, or biology
• demonstrated interest in the interplay between physics and biology
• demonstrated experience in making and using advanced optical setups such as light-sheet microscopy, optical tweezers, confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography, etc.
• demonstrated experience with programming (Python, Matlab, …) and data analysis in physics
• excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• experience with open-source software such as napari (napari.org) is an advantage, but not necessary. However, you should be excited about the prospect of developing open-source hardware and codes.

We highly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract of 38 hours per week for a period of 1 year (with a possible extension of two years based on performance. The preferred starting date is to be agreed upon by mutual agreement (at the earliest beginning 2024).

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,960 to € 4,670 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

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

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• 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.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

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.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP – as part of the Faculty of Science – is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics center of top international standing.

The Van der Waals - Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is part of the IoP and home to three research clusters: Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI), Quantum Materials (QMat), and Soft Matter (SM). For more information about Dr. Mazi Jalaal’s research group see www.fluidlab.nl and Computational Soft Matter Lab.

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

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Mazi Jalaal, Assistant Professor (m.jalaal@uva.nl)

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 06 November 2023.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• A motivation letter (max 1 page) that explains why you are specifically interested in this position
• A detailed curriculum vitae, including the list of publications,
• A pdf version of your phd thesis (or if not finalized yet, an abstract).
• The name and email address of at least two referees (Note: Referees will only be contacted if you are shortlisted).

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be held in the course of November 2023.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.