Time-limited (4½ months) full time position with start date to be mutually agreed.
at the Division Biomedical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ångström Laboratory.
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and with close contacts with students through the department’s involvement in engineering and master’s programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focus.
About the division
The position is located at the Division of Biomedical Engineering in the interdisciplinary research group EMBLA, which is led by Professor Maria Tenje. The group conducts successful and internationally-recognized research in organs-on-chip and droplet-based microfluidics in collaboration with research teams at several different Swedish and overseas universities. Research funding has been obtained through several prestigious grants, including from the Knut och Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and European Research Council (ERC). Today we are approx. 10 people in the group and we are recruiting a results-oriented and technically skilled research assistant to finalise a project funded by the Swedish Research Council.
Further information about the research group is available here
Research Project: Droplet-based microfluidics is a high-throughput screening method that can be used e.g. for single-cell analysis in the life sciences. A special focus of our research group is to develop droplet-based microfluidic systems with integrated acoustics, so-called acoustofluidic systems. This method can be applied both to water droplets leading to improved analysis capacity or to droplets generated in hydrogels to study cells as they grow in a 3D environment mimicking human tissue. To finish an ongoing research project that combines hydrogel droplets and acoustics, we are now looking for a research assistant for a shorter project.
Tasks: This shorter project aims to further develop a unique method that has been researched in the group where we integrate ultrasound into microfluidic systems to control particles and cells in 3D, so-called droplet acoustofluidics. The tasks are mainly focused on optimising the acoustic forces required to position cells at pre-determined places in the hydrogel droplets. You are also expected to develop robust methods to quantify the focusing capability of the system and summaries your results in a research article.
Some involvement in our project-based teaching at the department may also be part of the position.
Qualification requirements: University degree in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, engineering sciences, electrical engineering, materials science or corresponding competence that the employer deems equivalent.
As this is a shorter and focused project to further develop an existing system, we require documented knowledge and experience in fabrication of microfluidic systems with special expertise in acoustofluidic systems. We also require documented knowledge and practical experience in fabrication of microfluidic systems using cleanroom based processes such as UV lithography, lift-off and deep reactive ion etching of silicon. Experience in building experimental platforms for microsystems and being able to manufacture parts using laser cutting, micromilling and 3D writing are also requirements for the position.
Documented experience in scientific writing is required as well as excellent oral and written knowledge of English.
Other meriting skills: We attach great importance to your personal qualities and you must be independent and not afraid of taking own initiatives, have the ability to lead and run projects and communicate and cooperate with researchers at different levels. It is important that you are pedagogical, structured, have good attention to detail and can work effectively both individually and in groups.
Instructions for application:
Your application must include:
1) A short letter describing yourself and why you are interested in this position
2) CV (max. 2 pages)
3) A copy of your University degree
3) Names and contact details (address, e-mail address and telephone number) of at least two reference persons. You should also specify your relationship to the reference persons.
The application is preferably written in English. During the application period, we will continuously read application documents and call for interviews.
Salary: Individual salary setting
Starting date: By agreement
Type of employment: Time-limited position (4½ months).
Extent of employment: 100%
Location: Uppsala
Information about the employment is provided by Professor Maria Tenje, (maria.tenje@angstrom.uu.se) or Karin Magnusson (karin.magnusson@angstrom.uu.se).
Please submit your application by January 15, 2025, UFV-PA 2024/4350
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