PhD in De Novo Protein Design for Continuous Biosensing

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers top-level education and research in one of the most relevant and exciting scientific disciplines of the 21st century: engineering health. In combining engineering and life sciences, through challenge-based learning and a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with hospitals, industry and others, the department addresses the great challenges of the future, striving to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Introduction

How can de novo proteins be designed for enabling continuous biomolecular sensing? That’s your question!

Job Description

Biosensing technologies are being developed for the continuous monitoring of biomolecules in areas such as patient care, advanced biomanufacturing, the monitoring of ecological systems, and fundamental biological research. The heart of the continuous sensors are binder molecules that specifically and reversibly bind to the biomolecules of interest.

In this PhD project, you will explore a novel direction: you will develop and test binder molecules for continuous sensing using de novo protein design strategies. You will develop methodologies to design, make, screen, and test de novo proteins for incorporation in a particle-based continuous sensing platform with single-molecule resolution, called Biosensing by Particle Motion. The long-term goal is to develop a fast and flexible workflow for the rational design of continuous biomolecular sensors for diverse applications.

The project is a collaboration between the Molecular Biosensing and the Protein Engineering research groups at TU/e (see www.tue.nl/mbx and https://merkxlab.nl/). Their fields of expertise on continuous biosensing and protein engineering are at the forefront of science. The PhD project benefits from ongoing collaborations with research institutes and academic hospitals.

The research groups integrate laboratory-based and computational approaches for advancing sensor technology and bioengineering. The research is done in the context of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (www.tue.nl/icms). The groups initiated and organize the international competition on Sensors for Health (www.sensus.org) and the international symposium on Continuous Real-time Biomolecular Sensing (https://sensus.org/symposium).

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in molecular engineering sciences and/or analytical sciences, e.g. bioengineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, analytical chemistry.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Experimental and analytical skills, with interests in biomolecular engineering, biosensors, biochemistry, biophysics.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

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 four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 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 and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• 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.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates.

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

About us

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.

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.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?

More information about the content of the research can be obtained from Prof. Maarten Merkx (m.merkx@tue.nl), Prof. Menno Prins (m.w.j.prins@tue.nl), and Assoc. Prof. Arthur de Jong (a.m.de.jong@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including the contact information of three references.
• Lists of courses and grades of your BSc and MSc degrees, as originals and as transcripts.
• Pdf copy of your final BSc thesis.
• Pdf copy of your final MSc thesis (if available).

Only complete applications will be considered. We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Unfortunately, due to the current closure of the Dutch embassy in Tehran, we are unable to consider applications from candidates residing in Iran at this time, as the required immigration procedures cannot be completed. For further information, please visit our FAQ page.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Type of employment: temporary position | Contract type: full time | Number of positions: 1 | Full-time equivalent: 1.0 FTE | City: Eindhoven | County: Noord-Brabant | Country: Netherlands | Reference number: 2026/543 | Published: 2026-09-03 | Last application date: 2026-10-11