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, 33/2021
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 biological sciences (microbiology, bioengineering, biochemistry, biology), physics, chemistry or similar and possibly with experience in designing and fabricating microfluidic devices.
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.
Number of vacancies
1
Key responsibilities include
Position in the project
Post-doc
Job type
Full-time employment
Salary
gross salary (total employment cost) of 10 000 PLN per month
Position starts on
1.10.2021
Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement
12-month full time work contract (6-month probationary period) with the possibility of extension to 24 months
We offer
Career development prospects at IPC PAS
We offer a post-doctoral position (full-time employment) in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a total employment cost of 10 000 PLN per month (ca. 6300 net) financed from the NCN Maestro project. 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
Biological sciences (microbiology, biotechnology, bioengineering, biochemistry, biology) chemistry, physics or related fields
Scientific profile of a candidate
Recognised Researcher (R2)
Requirements
Key assessment criteria
Application deadline
10.08.2021 23:59
Deadline for the settlement of the competition
31.08.2021
Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.