PhD student position in graphene biosensors

General information about the project
PEST-BIN is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovation Training Network (ITN), funded by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 Program. Commencing its activities in January 2021, the Network will provide PhD training to 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs).

Consortium objectives
Antibiotic resistance has been named as one of the greatest threats to global health by the World Health Organization. There are increasing numbers of bacterial infections not responding to known antibiotics. The humanity needs to pioneer disruptive technologies to re-gain the upper hand. To do so, PEST-BIN mobilizes six universities, three research institutes, a hospital and five private companies with one common mission: to pioneer novel technologies to fight bacterial infections. Our network will combine very diverse tools: from nano-engineering, antibiotic discovery and production, via proteomics-based diagnostics to big data analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) – all of which will be contribute to new, interdisciplinary technologies. All PEST-BIN ESRs will be trained in an intersectoral environment – experiencing a tight collaboration among academia, healthcare and the private sector.

Information about the division
Quantum Device Physics Laboratory (QDP) of the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience – MC2, is the group of about 30 people representing international environment and the home of many national and EU projects, primarily in the field of superconductivity and quantum informatics. A large part of the group activities is also devoted to graphene and its applications in radiation detectors and metrology. The project is a strengthening of the group's ongoing activities in this field and to broaden it towards biomedical applications.

Major responsibilities
The PhD position at QDP will include the following research- and technology tasks:

a) master graphene growth by chemical vapor deposition, its characterization and optimization;
b) sensor layout design and evaluation of materials involved, from the standpoint of bio compatibility;
c) graphene functionalization, in collaboration with Department of Chemistry, and assessment of its effect on graphene parameters and projected sensitivity of future devices;
d) patterning of devices using micro-fabrication facilities at MC2 with an eye on possible scaling up the technology;
e) measurements of sensitivity and selectivity of obtained biosensors; validation of electronics setups.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. You are expected to complete a PhD degree in 4 years, which may extend to a maximum of 5 years when including teaching or other tasks (<20%)

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. All ESRs will have e personal career development plan and benefit from continuing education, secondments and training/networking events within PEST-BIN. All ESR will be guided by an academic and non-academic supervisor, experiencing a truly intersectoral working environment.

Qualifications
Applicants can be of any nationality. PEST-BIN supports a balanced gender representation by promoting genuine equal access opportunities throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, ESRs must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of appointment.

To be considered an ESR, at the time of recruitment by the host, the candidates must be in the first four years (full- time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate (typically a MSc degree).

Applicants must have a diploma (or obtain a diploma before their employment starts) granting access to doctoral studies (typically a MSc degree). 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 such as Physics, Engineering Physics, or Physical Chemistry. Other backgrounds will also be considered.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English at a level that is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training. 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 continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
for more information and to apply, please go to this webpage

Application deadline: 1 Februari, 2021



For questions, please contact:
August Yurgens, QDP-MC2, yurgens@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. ***