PhD in Development of nonlinear near-field and tip-enhanced...

Information about the research
A PhD-position is offered on the development of a new approach of Near-field scanning probe microscopy for studies of biomolecular supra-structures at a nano-scale resolution; in particular the phenomenon of protein misfolding and the impact of lipid bilayer composition in (i) a 3D cell-mimicking environment, (ii) living neurons/astrocytes and (iii) in Alzheimer’s plaques to form an understanding for the molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases. A large part of the work will be devoted to method development and test measurements on different bio-macromolecules including amyloids, membrane proteins and lipid bilayers. The candidate will be trained in an EU-supported Marie Curie Initial Training Network, FINON, with 11 other PhD students in Sweden, France, UK, Switzerland, and Germany. All students will work on different approaches and applications of Nonlinear Nanoscopy, and meet up twice a year to exchange experience and results. It forms an exceptionally attractive training environment for ambitious researchers, with joint workshops and courses, secondments in the photonics/pharmacology industry, international collaboration with academic and industrial partners, a mentorship program and support in career development.
 
Major responsibilities
Summary of tasks and methodology:

·     Nonlinear nearfield microscopy: identify probes, excitation and detection schemes enabling collection of nearfield nonlinear emission
·     Nonlinear tip-enhanced microscopy: identify probes and excitation schemes enabling enhancement of nearfield nonlinear emission
·     Preparation of amyloid structures and integration into brain lipid bilayers as an Alzheimer's disease model
·     Nonlinear nearfield microscopy of the molecular dynamics (protein misfolding) in the Alzheimer's disease model and the response of neurons/astrocytes.  
·     Tip-enhanced Raman microscopy of Alzheimer's brain tissue samples 
·     Image analysis

Your major responsibility as PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position also includes outreach activities to the general audience at e.g. Science Festivals.
 
Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Physics, Photonics and/or Biophysics not later than 2 years ago.

Conditions of international mobility: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
 
Fluent/excellent ability in written and spoken English is a strict requirement.

Experience of nonlinear microscopy and nanoscopy is meriting.

Personal qualities 
We aim to conduct front-line research at highest international level and want a candidate who shares our high ambitions. Important qualities of the candidate are enthusiasm, a positive attitude in general, be able to drive and conclude projects, formulate results in well-disposed and well-written reports, take own initiatives and develop/discuss own ideas, listen to and be responsive to other opinions, be a mature and responsible person, tolerate occasional periods of high work load and stress, be result-oriented and persistent, be creative and have good analytical skill, be able to say "I don't know" and take it as a challenge to seek for new knowledge. The candidate should contribute to the friendly and open environment in the group and the FINON Network, were we offer mutual help and support without any prestige.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20130248 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: November 30, 2013

For questions, please contact:
Assoc. Prof. Annika Enejder, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, enejder@chalmers.se





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