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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.

• Design, construction and test droplet-based microfluidic systems for single-cell encapsulation and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST)
• Microbial cell culturing
• Monitoring the growth of a large number of single bacterial cells isolated in nanoliter droplets. Determination of the heterogeneity of phenotypic response of individual cells in population
• Data analysis, writing reports and scientific publications
• Cooperation with researchers, including communication with English-speaking colleagues
• Support for PhD students

• 12-month full time work contract with the possibility of extension
• 36 days of vacation, social security, health insurance
• Work in the outstanding scientific institution in the dynamic research group with members representing diverse interests and qualifications – see details on the website:  http://ichf.pong.pl/en
• Participation in international conferences and Erasmus projects
• Engagement into an ambitious research program and possibility to build the academic career

International cooperation with experienced researchers. Work in the outstanding scientific institution in the dynamic research group with members representing diverse interests and qualifications

• PhD degree in biological sciences (microbiology, biotechnology, bioengineering, biochemistry, biology) chemistry, physics or related fields
• Experience with cell culture and standard laboratory techniques
• Experience with AST techniques, good understanding of AMR and related issues (origin, mechanism, consequences, and challenges), overview of the available diagnostic and treatment strategies.
• Experience with confocal microscopy
• Experience in experimental work with microfluidic systems, especially with multiphase systems; knowledge of microfabrication techniques and characterization of microfluidic devices (soft-lithography, CAD design, profilometry, microscopic techniques) will be considered as valuable assets.

First stage (analysis of CVs):

• Expertise in microbiology, biochemistry, microfluidics and instrument handling related to the project (0-5 points)
• Participation in scientific projects especially in international projects, internships, (0-2 points)
• Scientific achievements – publications, patents, awards, grants (0-2 points)
• Motivation and recommendation (0-1 points)

Second stage (interview):

• Presentation of the results of previous research, experience in managing research projects, problem solving skills (0-3 points)
• Knowledge in the field of research thematically related to the project. Strongest skills according to candidate’s own definition (0-3 points)
• Motivation to work in the project, future plans and presentation of own research ideas (0-2 points)
• Analytical thinking, scientific language and reporting skills (0-1 points)
•  Communication skills and level of English. (0-1 points)