The Langhammer group at Chalmers University of Technology is looking for a highly motivated PhD Student with a background in physics and/or biophysics and/or nano-optics to further develop Nanofluidic Scattering Microscopy for single exosome characterization in the context of single cell studies.
Project Description
Nanofluidic Scattering Microscopy (NSM) is a novel microscopy method developed by the Langhammer group that enables the determination of size and mass of single biological nanoparticles and biomolecules in a completely label- and affinity-chemistry-free fashion (Nature Methods: DOI:10.1038/s41592-022-01491-6).
It is the aim this PhD position to further develop and adapt the NSM method and the corresponding micro- and nanofluidic systems to enable single cell experiments and the analysis of secreted biological nanoparticles, such as exosomes, in the framework of a large research programme with the main aim of resolving the heterogeneity problem in exosome biology. This heterogeneity problem is the consequence of cells having evolved to release diverse subpopulations of exosomes, with diverse molecular and biophysical properties, and that this complexity has been difficult to resolve using existing experimental methodologies. The group together with its collaborative with certain institutions will address the following key fundamental
- What exosome subtypes do cells release?
- Where do they originate from?
- What are their key enabling biochemical and biophysical characteristics
The specific focus of this PhD position is to further develop and apply nanofluidic scattering microscopy for the study of biological nanoparticles, such as extracellular vesicles/ exosomes by means of:
- designing the necessary nanofluidic systems
- co-designing the necessary biofunctionalization of the surfaces of the micro- and nanofluidic systems to enable on-chip cell cultivation
- executing nanofluidic scattering microscopy measurements in concert with fluorescence microscopy on biologically relevant samples
- co-developing the necessary fundamental understanding of the light scattering properties of biological nanoparticles in nanochannels and how they can be used to devise quantitative descriptors of these objects
- co-developing machine learning based data analysis algorithms tailored for the biological systems of interest
The Langhammer Group
The Langhammer group at the Chemical Physics Division at the Department of Physics operates at the interface between chemical physics, nanoscience, nanoplasmonics, nanofluidics and single particle/molecule microscopy, with a particular focus on sustainable energy-related materials, nanosensors and the development of new microscopy and imaging methods. For that purpose we continuously develop and evolve our own methodologies for state-of-the-art nanofabrication, build our own customized research instrumentation, as well as explore commercialization opportunities.
Qualifications
The following qualifications are mandatory:
- A master degree in physics, applied physics, biophysics or nanoscience
- An experimental master thesis in one of the above areas
- Excellent collaboration skills
- Excellent documented written and oral English skills
The following qualifications are considered a merit in decreasing order of importance:
- Courses and/ or a master thesis project in optical microscopy/ spectroscopy for biophysics applications
- Hands-on experience with experimental nanofluidics and/or microfluidics
- Computer programming skills using Python and MATLAB
- Experience with numerical simulation tools such as Comsol Multiphysics or computational fluid dynamics
- Experience with Finite Difference Time Domain electrodynamics simulations
- Experience with analysis of complex scientific data e.g. through machine learning
The position also requires excellent communication skills in written and spoken English. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses. Applicants who do not have English or a Scandinavian language as their mother tongue need to provide documentation of good communication skills in English, typically evidenced by an English language test, for example TOEFL 550 (paper-based)/ TOEFL 213 (computer-based), and exemplified during the interview process prior to admission.
Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.
Contract Terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years. Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.
Application Procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230078 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below.
- CV
- Personal Letter
- Copies of bachelor and/or master's thesis
- Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results
For further questions, please contact Cristoph Langhammer, Professor, Chemical Physics, Physics
E-mail: clangham@chalmers.se phone: +46736528980
Please be notified that the application deadline is 26 March 2023 and for further information related to the scholarship, please visit this Scholarship Link.