PhD Position in Applied Physics at Eindhoven University of Technology

Are you passionate about building a better future for our global society through science?

If yes, then apply for an outstanding PhD position in Applied Physics at Eindhoven University. The PhD student will develop single-molecule and continuous biosensing principles based on plasmonic nanoparticles and optical detection methods. The project involves the design of plasmonic sensing concepts, particle biofunctionalization strategies, and single-molecule microscopy.

Summary

Project Description

The ability to continuously monitor biomolecular markers has the potential to revolutionize health care by allowing real-time monitoring of disease progression. Commercial sensors are available for continuous monitoring of glucose. Still, they do not exist for other essential molecules for monitoring disease status and treatment effect, including peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, hormones, and drugs. The newly developed sensors will enable the continuous monitoring of key inflammatory markers.

Embedding

You will be part of the Molecular Plasmonics group, which is embedded in the Molecular Biosensing (MBx) group at the faculty of Applied Physics. We investigate nanotechnologies for single-molecule biophysical studies and biosensing applications. We focus on nanoplasmonic technologies based on particles with a biochemically active surface coating. The particles allow us to capture, detect and actively transport single biomolecules, and to quantify the properties of molecules in complex biological fluids.

Main research activities in the lab focus on the functionalization and characterization at the single-molecule level (using, e.g. super-resolution microscopy) and the development of novel single-molecule sensing concepts based on fluorescence and label-free detection principles.

The consortium is completed by a strong network of partner industries and organizations. It will provide excellent training to 15 PhD students, allowing them to develop professionally and perform world-class research to advance the field of biosensing.

About Marie Curie ETN

The PhD project is part of CONSENSE, a European-wide Marie-Curie ETN program that combines advanced molecular engineering with tailored optical detection technologies to yield generic, affinity-based biosensing technologies (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/955623). Consense establishes a unique and well-structured training network with leading research labs from European universities and industry in the domain of biosensing.

The 15 PhD students will form a research team that is embedded in leading industrial and academic R&D labs. This will bridge the gap between the various disciplines by uniting their research efforts to solve the challenges.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 14, 2021

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should hold an MSc degree, or equivalent, in biology, ecology, biogeochemistry or closely-related fields.
• As criteria for assessing your qualifications, emphasis will also be laid on relevant work experience and previous publications (if any).
• We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual with good interpersonal and communication skills. Previous experience in fieldwork on lakes and/or wetlands, biological experiments, gas measurements and sensor electronics will be considered assets.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

Terms of employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation after one year
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program)
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes
• Family-friendly initiatives are in places, such as an international spouse programme and excellent on-campus children daycare and sports facilities.

Application Process

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the ‘solliciteer nu’-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references
• Brief description of your MSc thesis

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. The screening will continue until the position has been filled. We do not respond to applications that are sent to us differently.

You can upload only five documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary, please combine files.

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