PhD student position in Biophysics

Information about the research and the division
The long-term vision of the Biophysics group at the division of Nano and Biophyiscs is to contribute to translational life-science research and educational activities by engaging several departments at Chalmers and Gothenburg University as well as regional companies, institutes and technology transfer entities.

At the heart of our activities is a long tradition to contribute to life science through the development of surface-based bioanalytical microscopy tools and their combination with microfluidics for fundamental studies of cell-membrane mimics, and translation of the gained insights to diagnostic and pharmaceutical applications. Efforts are presently focused on surface-sensitive microscopy combined with microfluidic platforms and sophisticated surface modifications and nanofabrication schemes to facilitate improved analysis of supported cell-membrane mimics, membrane-protein analysis, virus infection as well as nanoparticle-based drug delivery of oligonucleotide drugs.

The research is carried out in close collaborations with pharmaceutical, biological and medical settings established through the role the group has in different interdisciplinary projects, most recently the SSF-funded Industrial Research Centre FoRmulaEx with AstraZeneca being the lead company. A common denominator in this work is the use of cell-membrane mimics and knowledge about lipid self-assembly, which is used to gain insights about intermolecular interaction kinetics of importance in medical diagnostics, drug screening, drug delivery as well as vaccination.

This way, we contribute important methodological and theoretical approaches and fundamental biophysical understanding based on a unique position at the border between applied physics, nanoscience, electrical and chemical engineering, chemistry, biology and medicine.

Major responsibilities
The goal with a PhD-position is to develop general research proficiency and a high competence within your specific research area. As a PhD-student, you will primarily conduct research, often together with other researchers and PhD-students. You will also follow PhD courses, be involved in teaching activities, and participate in international conferences and networks. You are expected to write a licentiate thesis within 2-3 years and defend your doctoral thesis within 4-5 years.

You will be responsible for a research project that contributes to the activities of the division's research and teaching activities that is focused on the further development of lipid-based mimics of cellular membranes, which combined with surface-sensitive microscopy and microfluidic platforms will enable characterization of biological nanoparticles, such as viruses and exosomes, as well as artificially produced lipid nanoparticles used for drug delivery.

The position will involve the following components:
i) surface-assisted lipid self-assembly to mimic the structure and function of cellular membranes,
ii) use of surface-based analytical tools, such as QCM, SPR and surface-sensitive optical microscopy to characterize surface-assisted lipid self-assembly
ii) studies of lipid-nanoparticle interaction with surface-based cell-membrane mimics to unravel the nature of e.g. virus infection and nanoparticle-controlled drug delivery, and
iii) work in close collaboration with biological, medical and pharmaceutical settings.

The project is a natural expansion of the group's ongoing activities in the field of bioanalytical sensor development and will contribute to broaden our national and international position in the field.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The total time period for the position is limited to four years full time, or five years with 20% teaching.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field. MSc in physics, physical chemistry or biotechnology, but other backgrounds will also be considered.

The position requires good communication skills in written and spoken English. Applicants who do not have English or a Scandinavian language as their mother tongue will normally be required to take an English language test, for example TOEFL 550 (paper-based)/TOEFL 213 (computer-based), prior to admission.

Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200451 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 24 November 2020

For questions, please contact:
Professor Fredrik Höök, Nano and Biophysics
E-mail: fredrik.hook@chalmers.se

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***