Jobid=617852929989615178 (0.0996)
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.
Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate.
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