Postdoc in coarse-grained modeling of nanocarriers for food fortification

Are you passionate about using computational science to tackle global health challenges If you enjoy working independently and driving your own research this project offers the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Join our team!

Over 2 billion people more than 25% of the global population suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies impair cognitive development and weaken immune systems in children while posing serious health risks during pregnancy. Conventional interventions such as food fortification and dietary diversification often fall short due to limited access weak health systems and challenges in stability bioavailability and scalability.

In this project you will use coarse-grained simulations to develop stable mineral-loaded nanocarriers composed of a core containing essential mineral nutrients (e.g. Ca Mg Zn) and a stabilizing phosphopeptide shell. You will design a novel highly coarse-grained model of the nanocarrier and use Brownian dynamics simulations to investigate its assembly and disassembly mechanisms in relation to nutrient loading capacity. Based on these insights you will formulate design rules to predict optimal loading conditions and release mechanisms supporting experimental optimization.

We expect you to be able to work with a high degree of independence and serve as a driving force for your research subject.

What you are going to do

• Develop a coarse-grained model for peptide-based nanocarriers informed by experimental data
• Simulate and predict the maximum micronutrient loading capacity
• Assess nanocarrier stability using enhanced-sampling simulations
• Extend the applicability of your protocol to additional systems

You are expected to:

• Conduct research within the Computational Chemistry theme of HIMS
• Be an active and engaged member of Computational Chemistry and Computational Soft Matter
• Bring a solid soft-matter background to develop coarse-grained models
• Have proven experience in designing and performing coarse-grained simulations (preferably using LAMMPS or HOOMD-blue)
• Demonstrate effective use of advanced analysis tools (e.g. UMAP)
• Possess excellent organisational communication and collaboration skills
• Contribute to the supervision of BSc MSc and PhD students
• Publish and present your results within the project and at international scientific venues.

To validate the computationally proposed hypotheses collaborations with experimental groups within HIMS (dr. Astefanei) and industrial partners (Friesland Campina InspectT) are envisioned. The position is available for 1 year starting as soon as possible and is intended for candidates with a strong computational soft matter background.

What we ask of you

• A PhD degree in computational physics/biophysics computational science or a related discipline
• A strong background in soft matter (bio)physics (bio)chemistry or computational science; ML is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in developing coarse-grained models
• Experience with advanced simulation and analysis methods (e.g. LAMMPS HOOMDblue advanced analysis workflows)
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Linux C/Fortran scripting languages)
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English
• Strong initiative and effective time-management abilities
• An interest in supervising BSc/MSc students and PhD candidates and in collaborating with researchers within and beyond the Netherlands

What we offer you

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 12 months. An extension maybe possible based on available funding combined with adequate performance. The preferred starting date is ultimatelySeptember 1 2026.

The gross monthly salary based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience ranges between 3546 - 5538 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 83% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement the 30% ruling may apply to non-Dutch applicants. TheCollective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities 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;
• 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;

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits take a lookhere.

Where you will work

The Computational Chemistry research at HIMS is part of the Amsterdam Center of Multiscale Modelling (ACMM) a cooperation with the theoretical chemistry group at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Together with the Lorentz Center (Leiden University) the ACMM forms the Dutch node of the Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire (CECAM).

TheVan t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences(HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA)Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical flavor & food medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes:Analytical ChemistryComputational ChemistrySynthesis & CatalysisandMolecular Photonics.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8000 as well as 1800 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.

If you recognise yourself in the profile and are interested in the position we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can respond via the red button up to the end of February.
Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files):

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4)
• Your CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience including a list of publications
• Contact details of three academic references.

We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue recruiting until the position is filled.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). If you receive an error message while applying from abroad please try again later or contact us for assistance. Applications received via email will not be considered.

For questions about the position please contact:

• Ioana M. IlieAssistant Professor