Postdoc in biomedical engineering, experimental acoustofluidics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Are you an expert on acoustic microfluidic systems? Are you driven by a passion to explore basic physics and interested in the future applications in medical technology? Do you wish to achieve research breakthroughs with pleasant, talented colleagues? Are you interested in a career as a researcher within academia?

Subject description

Our team is well-reputed in the acoustofluidics field of research due to our basic experimental studies of ultrasound resonances in order to generate forces on microscopic objects inside microchannels. We also develop applications for this within the medical technology area. Applications include the separation of circulating tumour cells from cancer patients’ blood or capturing extracellular vesicles from blood and urine.

The project you will work on aims to develop ultrasound technology for separating rare cells and biological nanoparticles from blood samples within a few minutes. To achieve this, we will study basic interactions and transport phenomena linked to ultrasound resonances at the microscale. Within the research team we work closely together, we are generous with ideas and share our knowledge.

The research work will primarily consist of experimental studies of basic physical phenomena related to ultrasound standing waves in microfluidic systems. In the project we will, among other things, develop new types of acoustic resonators for creating acoustic fields many times stronger than current solutions. We will also develop an engineering platform to handle cells in microfluidic systems with an aim to separate, image and collect sub-groups of blood cells and biological nanoparticles from blood samples using ultrasound.

The project is funded via the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position are to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The duties also include:

• Working on experimental physics in close cooperation with theorists.
• Design of microfluidic chips for acoustic separation of cells.
• Construction of microfluidic systems including pumps, valves, control electronics and software.
• Microscopy and image analysis.
• Handling of blood samples and cultivated cells.
• Authoring academic publications and illustrations.
• Presenting research results at research conferences.
• Assisting in supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Writing applications for external research funding
• Administration linked to the duties above.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

 
Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Extensive experience of work involving experimental acoustofluidics.
• Documented knowledge and expertise in LabVIEW.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

 
For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

 
Additional assessment criteria:

The postdoc

• shall be able to conduct their research project independently, and have the capability to write research publications.
• should have experience from multidisciplinary projects.
• should have experience from international networks.
• should have experience of working in industry.
• should have experience of developing technology or products.
• should have experience of work involving metrology.
• should have experience of work involving biological materials.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/