Postdoctoral position in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on optical systems for acoustofluidics

Are you an expert in designing and building optical systems with lasers and state of the art imaging? Are you driven by a desire to explore fundamental physics and are you interested in its future applications in medical engineering? Are you eager to achieve scientific breakthroughs together with talented and pleasant colleagues? Are you interested in a career as a researcher in academia?

Description of the workplace

Our group is well-known in the research fields of microfluidics and acoustofluidics due to our fundamental experimental studies of ultrasonic resonances to generate forces on microscopic objects inside microchannels. We also develop applications for this within biomedical engineering. Examples of applications are sorting out circulating tumor cells from the blood of cancer patients or capturing extracellular vesicles from blood samples. 
More about our research on nanobiotechnology and lab-on-a-chip - bme.lth.se

Our research agenda is ambitious with publications in PRL, Nature Communications and Analytical Chemistry through highly competitive funding from ERC and the Swedish Research Council.

Subject description

We have recently discovered that thermal gradients in combination with an acoustic field can generate fast thermoacoustic streaming flow in fluid inside microcavities
More about the fast thermoacoustic streaming flow in fluid inside microcavities - lucris.lub.lu.se.

We are now exploring this new physics with the long-term goal to translate this technology to applications. The project you will work on aims to develop new modalities to better understand and exploit laser-induced thermoacoustic streaming. To achieve this, we will study fundamental interactions and transport phenomena linked to thermal fields and ultrasonic resonances on the micro-scale. Related to this project, we have identified a need to increase our expertise around in-house built optical solutions. You will not work alone. Within the research environment, which is exceptionally strong on acoustic microfluidic systems, we work closely together, we are generous with ideas and share our knowledge. We have close collaborators at Combustion physics at Lund university with extensive research on applied laser physics and advanced imaging. 

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. 

Your research work will primarily consist of experimental studies of basic physical phenomena related to thermoacoustic streaming in microfluidic systems.

The specific work duties include:

• Fundamental research in experimental physics
• Design and build systems of lasers and optics for patterned illumination
• Integrate advanced imaging solutions such as FLIM and Schlieren imaging
• Co-supervision of undergraduate students and doctoral students.
• Administration related to the work duties.

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. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• Extensive practical experience with designing and building optical setups 
• Self-directed with good organizational skills
• Good ability to communicate and collaborate with others
• Good analytical abilities

Assessment criteria

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. 

Other qualifications:

• Extensive practical experience with designing and building systems of lasers and optics.
• Practical experience with designing and building custom optical imaging systems.
• Experience with optical traps is considered advantageous.
• Experience with Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging is considered advantageous.
• Experience with interferometry is considered advantageous.
• Experience with fluid dynamics, thermodynamics or acoustics is considered advantageous.

Consideration will also be given to 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.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

More about being a Lund University employee

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years with start as soon as possible, by agreement. 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”).

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)”  

We look forward to receiving your application!