Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS (Microfluidics and Complex Fluids Group)
National Science Centre
Project title, type and project number
Microfluidic methods for quantitative antibiotic susceptibility assays with single cell resolution, MAESTRO 10 No. 2018/30/A/ST4/00036, 01/2023
Project leader
prof. Piotr Garstecki
Description
The objective of the project is to develop an analytical platform to encapsulate bacterial cells into droplets using microfluidics, incubate them and detect growth without optical labeling. In the envisioned protocol, the sample culture of cells will be serially diluted and each dilution split and mixed with multiple concentrations of antibiotic to screen inoculum density and antibiotic concentration with digital droplet assays. The assays at high and low inoculum density will allow us to count the fraction of populated droplets that produced dense colonies of bacteria. These counts will allow us to measure the single-cell Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (scMIC) level and the inoculum effect (IE) while the low-density screens will uncover the phenotypic heteroresistance, p(scMIC). The method will offer a wealth of information for research on the response of cells and bacterial colonies to antibiotics, and hopefully will guide more effective treatments regimens.
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate with background in microfluidics, micro engineering, optics or similar, ideally also with experience in designing and fabricating microfluidic devices. Experience in using microfluidics for biological models (microbiology, bioengineering, biochemistry, biology) is considered as a strong advantage.
Candidates with an experience in Matlab, C programming and/or Phyton, mathematical analysis, etc. are also welcomed to apply.
The successful candidate will join a multinational and interdisciplinary team of scientist and will be responsible for designing, constructing and testing microfluidic systems for microbial testing of antibiotics in high-throughput and point-of-care (POC) formats, as well as, microfluidic systems for studying bacterial interactions at a single cell resolution.
Additionally the candidate will closely cooperate with the PhD students participating in the project, providing transfer of know-how and knowledge.
Number of vacancies
1
Key responsibilities include
Position in the project
Post-doc
Job type
Full-time employment
Salary
11 666 PLN per month That is the gross/gross amount including employer's expense. It will be subject to taxes, social and health insurance and other legal deductions according to Polish law.
Position starts on
1.03.2023
Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement
12-month full time work contract with the possibility of extension
We offer
Career development prospects at IPC PAS
International cooperation with experienced researchers. Work in the outstanding scientific institution in the dynamic research group with members representing diverse interests and qualifications
Scientific discipline
Microfluidics, microengineering, physics/optics or similar, ideally also with experience in microbiology
Scientific profile of a candidate
Recognised Researcher (R2)
Requirements
Key assessment criteria
First stage (analysis of CVs):
Second stage (interview):
How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;
IMPORTANT: email title “Recruitment 01/2023”;
Employment will take place in accordance with the Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS https://ichf.edu.pl/files/csr/ipc-procedures.pdf and the provisions of the competition documentation of the National Science Center (NSC) for the MAESTRO 10 contest https://www.ncn.gov.pl/ogloszenia/konkursy/maestro10 The Commission will analyze CVs of the candidates. The top candidates will be invited for an online or in person interview.
• The incomplete applications will be not considered.
• The results of the competition are made public.
• Candidates who have been issued a negative opinion by the Recruitment Committee or candidates not selected for employment have the right to appeal against the results of the evaluation. The appeal shall be lodged with the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of the appropriate information. The decision of the Director of the Institute shall be final.
• If the top candidate does not sign the contract due to the resignation, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.
How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;
IMPORTANT! email subject: “Recruitment no. 01/2023”
Application deadline
10.02.2023 23:59
Deadline for the settlement of the competition
24.02.2023
Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.