Division of Nanoscopy Education
While M4I educational activities are still being developed and will be announced shortly, M4I’s scientists will be involved in teaching at a bachelor's, master's and PhD level, within the University College Maastricht, the Maastricht Science Programme and various programmes within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. The M4I Division of Nanoscopy will also be recruiting PhD candidates and postdocs for various projects and ventures.
PhD Candidates and postdocs
The M4I Division of Nanoscopy is looking for PhD candidates and post-docs to work on an ongoing project about imaging biological nano-machines and their mode of action at a macromolecular-scale, by pushing the current limits of visual proteomics and nanotechnologies.
As cryo electron tomography is approaching macromolecular resolution, X-ray data can be 'docked' or fitted into the lower resolution density maps to create a macromolecular atlas of the cell under normal and pathological conditions. However, the majority of cells are too thick to be imaged in an intact state. Therefore, nano-fluidic chambers of 200nm thickness have been built, in which mammalian cells voluntarily migrate before they are vitrified. The brand new laboratory in Maastricht has at its disposal state-of-the-art cryo-LM, cryo FIB/SEM and cryo-ET equipment and, in addition, two Krios Titan cryo-TEMs. In addition we have access to 2 Krios Titan cryo-TEMs. For more details see www.necen.nl.
The team now aims to develop and use methods for visualizing vitreous biological samples for cryo-LM and cryo-TEM and examine the sub-cellular distribution and organization of macromolecular structures. This is a project in collaboration with Dr. Gerard van Veen, FEI, and Prof. Marileen Dogterom, AMOLF, and the science faculty of the universities of Delft and Leiden.
Requirements
Candidates are interested in 3D electron microscopy and work well in a team of postdocs, PhD’s, and technicians. This challenging project requires flexible candidates with strong motivation, good social and communication skills, and commitment to scientific research.
More information
Our available positions are on Academic Transfer. You can also contact us directly.
Postdoc career development at the division of Nanoscopy
Since 1998, Peter Peters has been working on postdoctoral affairs. He has built a ‘postdoc career development organization’ that helps young scientists make the right moves for their next career step by providing training in transferable skills and offering annual, 3-day retreats for 120 postdocs.
Lilian Menu, with help of Peter Peters, obtained 600.000 euro from the Dutch government to professionalize the organization as a national organization. This new organization set up four successful retreats, which had an average rating of 8.5 (out of 10). This initiative should also benefit Maastricht University postdocs.
The work received attention in:
- Cell. 2006; 125(3): 407 Aschwanden C. Learning to lead
- Cell. 2006; 124(3): 445 Aschwanden C., Professionalizing the postdoctoral experience
- The Scientist 2008; 22 (3): 53, The best places to work as postdoc
- Nature 2007; 445: 948 Griekspoor A., Torn between two ladders.
Workshops on topics including:
- Laboratory Leadership in Science
- Mentoring & Being Mentored
- Time Management
- Project Management
- Data Management
- Getting Funded, Getting Published, & Increasing Your Visibility
- Understanding Technology Transfer
- Setting Up Collaborations
- Teaching & Course Design
- Obtaining & Negotiating a Faculty Position
- Staffing Your Laboratory
Events
Our past events:
Workshop on 3D solutions
in Cryo-Electron Microscopy