PhD Position in Nanoengineering at Technical University of Denmark

If you want to make a bright career in microengineering and advance state of the art in neuroscience, then you can apply for PhD position in Nanoengineering at the Technical University of Denmark for the academic session 2021-2022.

DTU is offering you a unique opportunity to improve the lives of people suffering from blinding diseases. Candidates must have a keen interest in biomedical applications and interact with researchers in a very interdisciplinary environment.

Summary

Project Description

In the project BIocompatible Retinal prosthesis for restoring visual computations in blinding Diseases (BIRD), we are looking for a talented PhD candidate for the microfabrication of a photovoltaic implant for partial restoration of the vision of blind people. In this Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, you will work in close collaboration with neuroscientists at Aarhus University. 

You will be based at DTU Nanolab, where we conduct cross-disciplinary research and apply micro-and nanotechnology to a wide range of scientific disciplines and applications. The Biomaterial Microsystems group is a highly ambitious group pursuing research on microfabrication of 3D polymer and carbon structures and devices and their application in drug delivery, bioelectrochemistry and sustainable energy.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 19, 2021

Approval and Enrolment

The PhD degree scholarship is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the available planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide.Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be made by Prof. Stephan Sylvest Keller (DTU Nanolab), Researcher Rasmus Schmidt Davidsen (DTU Nanolab) and Assoc. Prof. Keisuke Yonehara (Aarhus University).We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is three years.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Prof. Stephan Sylvest Keller, suke@dtu.dk.

Eligibility Criteria

Two of the most widespread causes of blindness are age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), combined affecting more than 170 million people. The detailed pathophysiology of AMD and RP is unknown, but the degeneration of retinal photoreceptors is a significant event leading to visual loss in these diseases. There are no effective treatments for photoreceptor degeneration.

The overall aim of the BIRD is to develop a biocompatible retinal implant using photovoltaics to restore visual computations for blind patients. We will create a photovoltaic chip (solar cell array) with thousands of pixels and 3D electrodes. We will study how this chip interacts with different nerve cells and the retinal biology and finally test whether such a chip produces signals towards meaningful vision.

Your main contribution will be the fabrication of the photovoltaic cell array providing conversion of an external optical input signal into an electrical potential for stimulation of neural cells in the human eye. The miniaturized solar cell is fabricated in the DTU Nanolab cleanroom facilities. Your primary tasks will be to:

• Plan and execute experimental research
• Design, manufacture and optimize a miniaturized solar cell array in an iterative process
• Determine the quantum efficiency, minority carrier lifetime and IV-characteristics
• Integrate 3D microelectrodes on the solar cell
• Investigate the interaction of the miniaturized solar cell with retinal tissue 
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team in a focused scientific effort
• Contribute as a teaching assistant at DTU Nanolab and supervise BSc and MSc student projects

Qualifications

• You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in micro- or nanoengineering, physics, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.
• Experience with cleanroom fabrication is an advantage
• A high-grade average and excellent English language skills are decisive to be considered for the scholarship

Application Process

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than March 19 2021 (Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration.

To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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