PhD Position in Biology

Employment: 1.0 FTE
Gross monthly salary: € 3,059 - € 3,881
Required background: Research University Degree
Organizational unit: Faculty of Science
Application deadline: 28 May 2026

We seek two passionate, innovative PhD candidates to unravel how cells control gene expression noise – key to understanding development and disease progression. Be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team using single-molecule microscopy, various omics approaches, computational modelling and cell-free biochemistry to push the boundaries of quantitative biology.

Every cell in our body faces a fundamental challenge: how to make precise decisions in a noisy, ever-changing environment. In cancer, pathogens and developing embryos, cells harness or suppress random fluctuations in protein levels to drive diversification, survival or fate transitions (see Trends in Genetics 2026, 42, 3, 240-254 for our recent review). Your task as a PhD candidate is to decode the molecular programmes that amplify or dampen gene expression noise.

You will delve into the quantitative biology of gene expression noise, developing and applying novel computational approaches to measure and model how cells regulate random fluctuations in protein levels and how this impacts cellular behaviour. In collaboration with Prof. Boudewijn Burgering at UMCU, this project goes beyond traditional genetic explanations, seeking to uncover how non-genetic variability shapes cell fate decisions.

Your work will focus on pioneering techniques to quantify noise across multiple data types, integrating different sequencing modalities, proteomics, advanced imaging and mathematical modelling. Ultimately, you will identify the molecular mechanisms that cells use to either enhance or suppress noise, revealing new principles of cellular decision-making.

In your first months, you will engage with the field, refining your project alongside a collaborative, interdisciplinary team. Throughout the project you will become proficient in cutting-edge computational and experimental methods, contributing to a scientific community that values innovation, discovery and working together. Your findings will be shared through publications, mentorship of students, and presentations at international conferences. Teaching tasks will include supervising BSc and MSc students in lab techniques and data analysis and contributing to departmental courses in biochemistry or molecular/computational biology.

Does this sound like you?

• You hold an MSc degree in life sciences (e.g. molecular biology, computational biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, or a related field).
• You excel in dynamic, international teams and can communicate complex ideas clearly in English.
• You bring creativity, analytical rigour and a passion for tackling system-level questions at the molecular scale.
• You are eager to push scientific boundaries, whether your expertise is experimental, computational, or both.
• You have experience in bioinformatics, computational modelling or image analysis (a plus but not required).

Please note: We are recruiting one PhD candidate with computational expertise and one with experimental experience – please clearly specify your background and research interests in your cover letter.

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

You will join Dr Maike Hansen’s group at Radboud University – a dynamic, interdisciplinary team interested in understanding how gene expression noise drives cell fate decisions in health and disease. As a member of both the Biophysical Chemistry department at Radboud University and the Oncode Institute, you will join a group that integrates live-cell and single-molecule imaging, high-throughput sequencing and mathematical modelling. The lab’s research spans three key areas: characterising post-transcriptional noise regulation, developing innovative tools to measure and manipulate gene expression, and exploring how single-cell behaviour impacts physiology and disease. For examples of these approaches see: Nature Communications, 2026, 17, 1, 2734; Developmental Cell, 2025, 60, 133-151; Cell Systems, 2024, 15, 526-543; Science, 2021, 373, eabc6506; Cell, 2018, 173, 1609-1621.

The state-of-the-art infrastructure ensures you will have access to everything needed to push scientific boundaries. In our lab you will have access to advanced imaging systems (including widefield, re-scanning confocal, holographic and spinning disk microscopes), single-cell sorters, flow cytometers, nanopore sequencers, and dedicated computational resources for modelling and data analysis. Additional cutting-edge platforms (such as super-resolution microscopy, proteomics and single-cell sequencing) are available within our Faculty of Science.

You will be part of a vibrant, supportive community that values curiosity, collaboration and bold ideas. You will tackle system-level questions at the molecular scale, using single-cell technologies to directly measure gene expression noise and uncover its role in development and disease. Whether your background is computational, experimental, or both, you will find the resources, mentorship and interdisciplinary environment to thrive.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

Is this the job for you?

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Maike Hansen. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place in the week of 1 June. Any second interview will take place between Monday 15 June and Friday 26 June. You will preferably start your employment on 1 July or 1 September 2026.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

Application deadline: 28 May 2026

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.

Want to know more about this position?

Dr M.M.K. Hansen (Maike)
maike.hansen [at] ru.nl