A PhD position is available at the Department of Physics. The position is financed by NTNU Biotechnology, one of NTNU’s three Strategic enabling technology programs. The appointment has a duration of 3 years with the possibility of until 1 year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the Department.

The NTNU Biotechnology enabling technology program brings together scientists from various disciplines towards strengthening development of new solutions in biotechnology. The ambitious overall aim of the initiative highlights that the most efficient strategy to develop new, high potential biotechnology, is through the confluence of life sciences, mathematical sciences and engineering sciences. See: http://www.ntnu.edu/biotechnology for further information.

The Miniaturized Droplet Biotechnology project addresses the efficient preparation of miniaturized gel beads and double emulsions using microfluidic devices for custom design of structured soft materials, and for immobilisation at the single-cell level and their subsequent processing and high throughput screening. The overall aim is to offer strategies for control of local environmental properties as relevant in minimal systems and for biomedical applications. The project brings together a multidisciplinary consortium consisting of specialists from various departments at NTNU (Departments of Physics; Biotechnology and Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine).

Information about the department

The position is organized in the Department of Physics. Currently, there are 26 professors, 10 associate professors, 7 adjunct professors, 52 PhD research fellows and 14 postdoctoral/ research positions appointed at the Department of Physics. Further information is available at: http://www.ntnu.no/fysikk/english

Our research spans a broad spectrum of natural sciences and technology, which in turn allows us to offer an education that, provides a solid basis for future careers. Physics research is carried out in experimental as well as theoretical fields, often across conventional boundaries between disciplines. Our central research areas are biophysics, nanoscience, surface physics, modern optics, astrophysics, solar energy, materials science, and medical technology. Research staff at the department makes a special effort to increase the awareness and understanding of the importance and impact of physics in our society.

Work description for PhD position within Miniaturized Droplet Biotechnology

The research activity for the announced PhD position is within microfluidics for efficient preparation of gel beads, and double emulsions in the size range from about 10mm to 50mm. Furthermore, it includes development of processes for barrier control within domains. The aim is also to include a proof-of-concept application within a selected screening issue within biotechnology. Particularities of the project include adaption of commercial devices and fabrication of custom designed ones, gel bead and double emulsion process optimization, as well as a proof-of-concept screening strategy of biological relevance based on miniaturized gel beads and/or double emulsions. Appropriate characterization tools include, e.g. various advanced microscopy techniques, relevant cell biology tools and image processing.

Qualifications

We seek highly motivated candidates with a completed MSc in Bionanotechnology, Physics, Biophysics, BioMems, Nanotechnology, Microfluidics or related areas. The position requires competence underpinning the successful realization of the project, e.g. clean room experience for soft lithography based microfluidic device fabrication, microfluidic device characterization for soft material mesoscale structure formation, data analysis and interpretation. Candidates with additional competence within (biopolymer gelation of injectable systems and molecular biology, will be preferred. The successful applicant should be highly competent, motivated, ambitious and with excellent English qualifications.

The regulations for PhD programs at NTNU state that a Master degree or equivalent with at least 5 years of studies and an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best) for the two last years of the MSc is required. Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/ds_en.htm

If you are interested in the position, have any questions or require further information, please contact Professor Bjørn Torger Stokke, Department of Physics, e-mail: bjorn.stokke@ntnu.no

Terms of employment

The appointment of the PhD will be made according to Norwegian guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general regulations regarding university employees. Applicants must agree to participate in organized doctoral study programs within the period of the appointment and have to be qualified for the PhD-study.

NTNU’s personnel policy objective is that the staff must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent.

The position as PhD is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale. There is a 2% deduction for superannuation contribution.

The application

Applications letter describing the candidate`s motivation, skills and personal qualifications for the position, a CV, possible publications and other scientific works, certified copies of transcripts, reference letters and the applicants outline of a project in the described scientific domain of maximum 4 pages, should be submitted electronically through link at this page.

Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

Application deadline: April 20, 2017. The reference number of the position is NV-52/17

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