Postdoctoral position in modelling of acoustofluidic systems
Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.
Temporary full-time employment of two years with starting date by agreement. During the first year the placement can be at UC Santa Barbara, USA.
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 awards, including a Wallenberg Fellowship, ERC Starting Grant and ERC Consolidator Grant. Today we are approx. 15 people in the group and having recently received extended funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation for a project focused on the development of microfluidic solutions for the production and culture of organoids, we are now looking for motivated and results-oriented research talents for the group who want to follow a research exchange to UC Santa Barbara during 2022/2023.
Research project
This project is about researching new technology for controlling and studying cells in microfluidic systems using integrated acoustics. You will be part of a team within the research group that today includes five people with good knowledge of the manufacture and use of organs-on-chip systems and integrated acoustics. Now we also want to build competence within the theoretical understanding of how the systems work and what role e.g. design and manufacturing methods play in achieving optimal performance. We are therefore looking for an expert in theoretical modelling of microfluidic systems for the research group.
Work duties
Conduct high-quality research in modelling and theoretical understanding of the basic physics of the acoustofluidic organ-on-chip systems the group currently uses. You are expected, through a theoretical approach, to optimize the systems’ design for increased performance related to flows, analysis capacity and acoustic focusing ability and, in collaboration with other team members, experimentally evaluate the results. We are also interested in studying and modelling the acoustic properties of new materials that are typically not used in this research area.
In addition to research, some participation is also included in the supervision of doctoral students, master’s and project students as well as communication of research results through scientific publications and presentations at international conferences. Some participation in teaching may also be included. You are also expected to contribute to applications for external research funding.
Qualification requirements
PhD degree, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.
This position requires a doctoral degree in physics, engineering sciences, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering or equivalent education in an adjacent area where a larger part of your doctoral project was focused on numerical and/or analytical modelling of microfluidic systems. We also require documented knowledge in flow mechanics and wave physics. We require good oral and written skills in English. The research places great demands on creativity, analytical ability and practical skills in FEM modelling of microfluidic systems.
We attach great importance to your personal qualities and you must be independent, have achieved scientific maturity and possess a strong inner motivation to achieve success in your research. We require the ability to work in a focused, structured and forward-thinking way within given time frames, both individually and in groups, and to be able to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research environment with colleagues both within and outside the research group.
When assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s documented experience of publishing scientific papers in high-quality journals and giving presentations at scientific meetings.
Additional qualifications
Documented experience and knowledge in numerical and analytical modelling of microfluidic systems with integrated acoustics.