Job details

Recruitment result
Place of work

Microfluidics and Complex Fluids Group Department of Soft Condensed Matter, IPC PAS

Funding institution

Fundation for Polish Science

Project description

Project title, type and project number

RApID -Label-free and rapid optical imaging, detection and sorting of leukemia cells; TEAM-NETProject No. POIR.04.04.00-00-16ED/18

Description

Background: Leukemias are malignancies originating from hematopoietic or lymphoid precursors. They are caused by genetic lesions leading to biochemical, proteomic and metabolomics abnormalities. Current leukaemia diagnostics is based on genetic and phenotypic characterization of these changes. The RApID (Raman Imaging for Diagnostics) 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 leukaemia 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. Our team at the Group of Microfluidics and Complex Fluids will use these data to design and fabricate an innovative microfluidic device utilizing SRS microscopy for label-free, rapid leukaemia cell detection, which will help in quick and reliable differentiation between different types of leukemia cells providing clinicians with quantitative information that can be applied to diagnostics. Such an automated device will decrease the cost and time of diagnosis of leukemias and will be helpful in making fast yet proper decisions during the course of the treatment.

The successful candidate will join a multinational and interdisciplinary team of scientists and will be responsible for i) designing, constructing and testing microfluidic cell sorters separating leukemia cellsfrom WBCs, ii) integration ofthe cell sorter with the Stimulated Raman Spectrometer (SRS) and iii) optimization and automation ofthe systemfor increased sensitivity, selectivity and throughput. Additionally the candidate will provide support forPhD students participating in the project.

Job description

Key responsibilities include

  • Develop a microfluidic cell sorter for isolation of selected leukemia cells based on their Raman signal, optimize the system for increased sensitivity and selectivity and automatize the setup for high throughput.
  • Cooperate with the younger members of the team providing them support in the development and integration of the other microfluidic modules (for manipulation of single cells preferentially by optical tweezers, surface acoustic waves or hydrodynamic traps).
  • Develop fabrication protocols for Raman-compatible microfluidic devices
  • Data analysis, writing reports and scientific publications
  • Cooperation with researchers, including communication with English-speaking colleagues
  • Support, supervision and mentoring of PhD students
Offer

Position in the project

Senior postdoc position

Salary

12 000 PLN (total employment cost), i.e. ca. 7000 PLN net.

Position starts on

1.03.2021

Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement

32 months

We offer

  • Monthly salary of 12 000 PLN (total employment cost), i.e. ca. 7000 PLN net. The position is financed by the Foundation for Polish Science Team-NET project No. POIR.04.04.00-00-16ED/18. The position requires 80% time involvement and is scheduled to last 34 months.
  • 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
  • Possibility to collaborate with research groups engaged in the project (University of Warsaw, Medical University of Lodz, Institute of Hematologyand Transfusion Medicine, Jagiellonian University)
  • Engagement in an ambitious research program and possibility to build the academic career
  • Participation in international conferences and Erasmus+ projects

Link to Euraxess website

see website
Requirements

Scientific discipline

microfluidics, micro engineering, physics/optics or similar, ideally also with experience in cell manipulation, biotechnology or development of medical diagnostic tools

Scientific profile of a candidate

Established Researcher (R3)

Requirements

  • PhD in physics, engineering, chemistry, biotechnology or similar with aminimum of 6 years and a maximum of 9 years after obtaining PhD title
  • Solid knowledge and hands-on experience with experimental microfluidic systems (ideally experience with development of microfluidic systems for applications in microbiology)
  • Hands-on experience with photolithography and/or other microfabrication techniques
  • Additional experience in one or more of the following fieldsis preferential: optics, optofluidics, Raman Spectroscopy, microbiology, automation, programming
  • Creativity and enthusiasm measured by the quality and number of projects, 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
  • Experience in supervision and mentoring of MSc and PhD students
Required documents
  • Scientific curriculum vitaeincluding a list of scientific achievements (publications, patents, scholarships,conference presentations, awards,etc.)
  • Motivation letter
  • A summary of professional accomplishments (not exceeding 3500 characters), containing concise information about scientific interests, past achievements pointing out the three most important ones, participation in and running research projects and the candidate's own research plans
  • Citation report (from Web of ScienceCore Collection) including the number of publication, number of citation without self-citation, h-index of the Candidate andthe number of years worked effectively in science (after deduction of breaks)
  • Two recommendation letters
  • A scan or photocopy of the candidate's university degree
  • A scan or photocopy of the candidate's PhD degree
  • Information about any breaks in performing research work, e.g. maternity leave, internship in industry, etc. When assessing the achievements of the candidate the Competition Committee shall take into account breaks in research and shall convert the candidate's indicated achievements into effective years of scientific work
Recruitment procedure
  1. A recruitment commissionfor evaluation of the candidates will be established (consisting of 3 researchers and specialists in the field).
  2. The commission evaluates applications on a point scale. The positionwill be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.
  3. The evaluation will be in twosteps: first the submitted documents will be evaluated. Next, the top candidates will be invited of an interview.
  4. The 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.
  5. The results of the competition are made public.
  6. The competition can be cancelled without a notice.
Additional information

For additional information contact: lderzsi@ichf.edu.pl, microfluidics@ichf.edu.pl

Deadlines

Application deadline

25.02.2021 0:00

Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.

Date of announcement: 7.12.2020

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