PHD Position

The position is part of MS-RADAM (MultiScale phenomena in RAdiation DAMage), a European Doctoral Network funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. MS-RADAM advances understanding of radiation-induced biodamage phenomena across scales with applications in particle therapy, radiotherapy, and radioprotection. The DC6 research project, entitled "Molecular mechanisms underlying ion-induced radiation damage", focuses on studying radiation-induced dynamics in DNA oligonucleotides using gas-phase experiments.

• University Master's degree in experimental molecular physics, physical chemistry, mass spectrometry, or a related field.
• Strong interest in experimental instrumentation and hands-on development of instrumentation and related technologies.
• Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written.
• Available to start on 1 July 2026.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally regularly for project meetings, conferences, training activities, and beamtimes.
• Able to work in an international environment, be highly motivated, reliable, and able to meet strict deadlines.
• Compliance with the MSCA mobility rule: not have lived or worked in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to 1 July 2026.

• Conduct experimental research on radiation-induced dynamics in DNA oligonucleotides using advanced instrumentation.
• Perform experiments with mass-selected and conformationally pure target molecules using purpose-built setups.
• Carry out beamtime experiments at synchrotron radiation sources and heavy-ion accelerator facilities across Europe.
• Investigate how direct DNA damage and structural changes depend on DNA sequence, conformation, and chemical environment, and compare with condensed-phase behaviour.
• Compare experimental results with theoretical and computational modelling through close collaboration with MS-RADAM partners.

Employment in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities, with a gross full-time salary range of 3.059 to 3.881 per month.

232 vacation hours per year based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). Working more or fewer hours can be exchanged for more or fewer free hours (for example, a 40-hour week yields 96 extra free hours; a 36-hour week loses 96 hours).

End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.

Contract structure: promovendus 1 year + 3 year.

Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, including international mobility, secondments to partner organisations, and training in transferable skills such as research management, communication, and career development.

The position is hosted at the University of Groningen, an open academic community that values interdisciplinary research, collaboration with industry and society, and an inclusive working climate. The Faculty of Science and Engineering provides teaching and research across diverse disciplines and collaborates with partners from industry, healthcare, and society.

The PhD will be based in the Schlathf6lter group, embedded within the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, where physics, chemistry, and materials science interact in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary setting.