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Leukemias are malignancies originating from hematopoietic or lymphoid precursors. They are caused by genetic lesions leading to biochemical, proteomic and metabolomics abnormalities. Current leukemia diagnostics is based on genetic and phenotypic characterization of these changes. The RApID project aims to develop the first Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) microscopic-microfluidic system for non-invasive imaging of live cells and apply it to rapid leukemia cell imaging, diagnostics and sorting. By integrating the multidisciplinary expertise from a broad range of fields, consortium partners will characterize Raman spectra of leukemic cells and link them to clinico-biological features of the disease. The collected data will be used in the construction of a state-of-the-art microfluidic device using SRS microscopy for rapid analysis of leukemia cells and their sorting without the use of fluorescent markers. The parameters of the device allow us to expect that it will enable fast, objective and cheaper diagnostics supporting clinicians at the beginning of the diagnostic process and during treatment.

The Microfluids and Complex Fluids Group (MiCoF) at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences is looking for enthusiastic and talented PhD candidate with background in microfluidics or microbiology. The successful candidate will join an international and multidisciplinary team and will i) develop microfluidic devices allowing for automated SRS detection and sorting, ii) study the behaviour of white blood cells within the microchannels and link the change of environmental factors to physicochemical, morphological and/or biochemical responses facilitating the SRS-based classification and sorting and finally iii) develop microfluidic devices for chemotaxis assays on the sorted cells.

The project is funded by the Foundation for Polish Science under the grant scheme “Team Net” (grant number: POIR.04.04.00-00-16ED/18). Project leader: prof Czeslaw Radzewicz. PhD thesis supervisor and Head of the Microfluidics group: prof. Piotr Garstecki, auxiliary supervisor: dr. Ladislav Derzsi.

The position is for an already ongoing project (grant) from which it will be funded only for 15 months. PhD candidates will receive additional funding from the Warsaw Doctoral school for 4 years. Thus, candidates who are already students of the Warsaw Doctoral School with similar PhD topic and who finished their 2nd year; or candidates with their own PhD scholarship/grant; or candidates willing to apply for PhD grants; or candidates accepting to continue on the Warsaw Doctoral School scholarship after the current grant finishes will be preferred.

Key responsibilities of the successful candidate will be one or more of the following tasks, adjusting them to the candidate’s background and skills:

• Development of microfluidic devices allowing for automated SRS detection and sorting
• studying the behavior of white blood cells within the microchannels and link the change of environmental factors to physicochemical, morphological and/or biochemical responses facilitating the SRS-based classification and sorting,
• development of microfluidic devices for chemotaxis assays on the sorted cells
• automatization the workflow for the integrated microfluidic-Raman microscope

• Full-time position with 3800 PLN per month scholarship financed by the Foundation for Polish Science Team-NET project No. POIR.04.04.00-00-16ED/18 (for 15 months) plus additional scholarship of the Warsaw Doctoral School
• Engagement into an ambitious research program and possibility to build academic career.
• Work in the outstanding scientific institution in the dynamic research group with members representing diverse interests and qualifications – see details on the website: https://ichf.edu.pl/en/groups/microfluidics-and-complex-fluids-research-group
• Pursuing PhD degree
• Participation in international conferences and Erasmus projects

• MSc diploma in physics, chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, engineering or similar
• Creativity and enthusiasm measured by the quality and number of projects, study record, internships, authorship in peer-reviewed publications and patents in which the Candidate participated and contributed.
• Analytical thinking and critical problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communications, organization and time management skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Flexibility and ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team
• Direct experience with microfluidics, Raman spectroscopy and/or leukaemia cells is an asset

The Recruitment Commission will take into account the following criteria:

• competences of candidates for specific tasks in a research project,
• previous scientific achievements of candidates,
• awards and distinctions of the candidate resulting from the conducted research.

The Commission evaluates applications on a point scale.

The scholarship will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.

The results of the competition are made public.

The competition can be cancelled without a notice.

Candidates have the right to appeal against negative recruitment results within 7 days of receiving feedback from the recruitment committee.