Job details

Recruitment result
Place of work

IPC PAS, Microfluidics and Complex Fluids Group

Funding institution

Foundation for Polish Science (FNP)

Project description

Project title, type and project number

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

Project leader

Prof. Czesław Radzewicz

Description

The primary objective of the project is 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, sorting and assessment of chemosensitivity in vitro. Multidisciplinary teams of experts establishing the consortium will characterize Raman spectra of leukemic cells and link them to biological features of the disease. These data will be thereafter used to design and construct, microfluidic-based diagnostic device utilizing SRS microscopy which will allow for quick and reliable differentiation between different types of leukemia cells providing clinicians with quantitative information crucial to make proper decisions during the course of the treatment. The envisaged microfluidic-SRS instrument will fill the gap in the current diagnostic methodology of leukemia, accelerate diagnostics and decrease its cost. Moreover the developed methodology will open new areas of application in leukemia research.

We are looking for a highly motivated researchers with strong background in microfluidics, microengineering or similar, ideally also with experience in cell manipulation or in development of microfluidic-based diagnostic tools. The successful candidate will join a multinational and interdisciplinary team of scientists and will be responsible for designing and constructing an innovative microfluidic systems for manipulation and sorting of leukemia cells. Key responsibilities include the development of an automated trapand-release system as a central module for cell manipulation and signal acquisition and/or a cell sorter to isolate positively identified cells based on their Raman signal. Additionally the candidate will closely cooperate with the PhD students participating in the project, providing transfer of know-how and knowledge.

Job description

Number of vacancies

1

Key responsibilities include

  • Design, construct and test microfluidic systems for manipulation of single cells
  • Develop an automated microfluidic system to trap-and-release cells one-by-one (preferentially by the use of optical or acoustic waves or by hydrodynamic traps)
  • Develop a microfluidic cell sorter for isolation of selected leukemia cells based on their Raman signal
  • Integrate the microfluidic module with the SRS and optimize the setup for high throughput
  • 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

Junior postdoc

Job type

Full time employment contract

Salary

10 000 PLN (total employment cost), i.e. ca. 6600 PLN net

Position starts on

15.03.2021

Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement

32 months

We offer

  • Monthly salary of 10 000 PLN (total employment cost), i.e. ca. 6600 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 100% time involvement and is scheduled to last 32 months.
  • Work in the outstanding scientific institution, in the dynamic research group with members representing diverse interests and qualifications
  • 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
  • see website: https://ichf.edu.pl/en/groups/microfluidicsand-complex-fluids-research-group http://ichf.pong.pl/en/

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 obtained a maximum of 5 years prior to joining the project
  • 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 fields is welcome: 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 students

Key assessment 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
Required documents
  • Scientific curriculum vitae including 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 Science Core Collection) including the number of publication, number of citation without self-citation, h-index of the Candidate and the 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
  • A recruitment commission for evaluation of the candidates will be established (consisting of 3 researchers and specialists in the field).
  • The commission evaluates applications on a point scale. The position will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.
  • The evaluation will be in twosteps: first the submitted documents will be evaluated. Next, the top candidates will be invited of an interview.
Deadlines

Application deadline

25.02.2021 23:59

Deadline for the settlement of the competition

14.03.2021

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

Date of announcement: 28.01.2021

Join us