Postdoc/Lab manager to the Facility for Molecular and Nonlinear Microscopy

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering promotes research and education for sustainable development, for improved health and quality of life. Our research ranges from natural science and bioscience, applied chemistry and biotechnology to chemical engineering. Our educational programs are characterized by technological solutions for improving people’s everyday life, and are continuously developed for meeting and promoting societal and industrial development.

We have approximately 400 employees, divided into five research divisions and one administrative unit. We are situated at campus Johanneberg.

Our department is characterized by stimulation of world leading research, in an environment where people develop and create new knowledge.Information about the division
The aim of our research is to develop novel microscopy techniques where we can map 3D distributions of biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins in living cells and hydrated, soft materials/tissues without the need for invasive sample preparation or exogenous label molecules, hence, allowing us to monitor bio-chemical processes under a biologically more relevant conditions than what current microscopy techniques allow. We form images of spatial variations in chemically specific, inherent vibrations in electron orbitals (Second and Third Harmonic Generation; SHG & THG) or molecular bonds (Raman, Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering and Stimulated Raman Scattering; CARS & SRS) by probing them with pico-second short laser pulses. By further implementing a nanometre-sized scanning probe, we aim to achieve nanometre resolution. To the most important applications belong
 
A) Investigations of the molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's), protein misfolding and interaction with lipid bilayers, models of three-dimensional neural networks
B) Studies of tissue-mimicking biopolymer matrices, stem cell differentiation and their formation into three-dimensional artificial tissues, 3D tissue models for drug screening
C) Lipid storage and metabolism in living cells and organisms 
D) Fundamental investigations and applications of multi-photon excited plasmons in metallic nano-structures

Our research environment consists of a pico-second pulsed laser lab, two microscope setups for multi-photon excited fluorescence and non-linear microscopy, single-photon counting detectors, a high-sensitivity spectrometer, CCD camera, Atomic Force Microscope, Scanning probe microscope, cell culturing facility and a sample preparation lab.

Major responsibilities
2+1-year post-doc/senior scientist position acting as lab manager for the Molecular/Nonlinear Microscopy Facility also including a scanning probe unit. Maintain and develop the instrumentation/setup and make sure that it is at the front line world-wide. Plan and pursue experiments with collaborators from the bio-, life, material, chemical and nano sciences based on your own interest and experience. Make sure that collaborators are professionally met on all fronts. Support with image analysis. Summarize results as scientific publications (minimum 2/year). Coordinate comparative measurements using mass spectrometry imaging in collaboration with Prof. Andrew Ewing's group. Long-term goal is to set up a nonlinear microscope devoted to open/fee-based use as a EuroBioImaging sub node. Show capability of attracting research funds.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 3 years.

Qualifications
MSc and PhD in Physics, Photonics, Nanosciences, Physical Chemistry, and/or Biophysics. 

Experience of nonlinear microscopy/ instrumentation with short-pulsed lasers and single photon counting detectors

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20130251 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: December 15, 2013

For questions, please contact:
Assoc. Prof. Annika Enejder, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, enejder@chalmers.se, +46 31-772 3840





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