Postdoctoral fellowship in ultrasensitive nano(bio)sensing

Drug formulations are increasingly composed of so-called "nanodrugs", precisely controlled containers that target-specifically deliver complex molecules such as DNAs or RNAs. Surprisingly, much-needed nano characterization platforms that rapidly, quantitatively and accurately asses the quality of such formulations are still lacking. Routine observations are often based on costly options such as TEM or analytical ultracentrifugation.

During this 30 months postdoctoral fellowship, you will develop an all-optical and label-free single particle sizing platform that rapidly measures thousands of individual nanoparticles in parallel. The clear and ambitious goal is to provide a technology that covers the full range of nanodrugs: from tiny viral vectors, over bacteriophages to larger liposomes. You will provide what is needed: size, mass, loading ratios e.g. a full characterization of these crucial system based on all-optical single particle observations.

Beyond accurately determining particle sizes and drug-loading ratios you will develop next-generation methods that directly quantify the biomolecular composition. The envisioned strategy is novel which ensures that you will have the chance to establish a highly innovative sensing-portfolio that should allow applying for competitive funding beyond this appointment.

With the support of our interdisciplinary team, you will lead this ambitious project and:

• Develop high-throughput nanosizing methods at the ultimate levels of sensitivity and accuracy
• Apply these platforms to prominent nanometric drug vectors
• Help transitioning our technology into a widely applicable and usable platform
• Explore and implement biomolecularly resolved nanosizing technologies

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in experimental nanophotonics, all-optical sensing or label-free microscopy.

• PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics or Nanotechnology
• Experience with designing and building optical instrumentation (microscopy) is a must
• Experience with label-free or holographic imaging/sensing of single nano-objects is a bonus
• Experience with programming and hardware-software interfacing is a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excited about interdisciplinary research as part of multidisciplinary and diverse team
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaboratively work with other researchers
• Eager to learn and apply new skills

Salary Benefits:

A fully funded one year postdoctoral fellowship with ample room for personal development in a socially engaged organisation. We offer:

• A salary of minimum € 3.345,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 4.185,00 (Scale 10.5) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• The appointment will initially be for 1 year. Subject to a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 30 months.
• Plenty of room to acquire new skills to develop a highly-competitive research portfolio.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• space for personal development
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

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