Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Nanoscience programme. The position is available from February 2025 or later.
Title:
Single cell mechanobiology and soft matter metrology
Research area and project description:
Mechanobiology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that combines biophysics, engineering, medicine, and biology in the study of how cells sense and respond to mechanical signals. The understanding of how mechanical forces induce change at all levels, from single molecules to cells and tissues, has led to scientific advances in the understanding of cell adhesion, DNA conformation, membrane trafficking, and much more. This knowledge has in turn translated to advances in tissue engineering, high speed cancer diagnostics, and improved agricultural products to name a few examples.
At the forefront of single-cell mechanobiology are nanotechnology techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanopipettes. AFM can be used to measure mechanical properties of cells as well as subjecting individual cells to mechanical stresses, while nanopipettes are powerful sensing tools used for single-molecule detection, monitoring biological processes and as scanning probes for imaging.
In this PhD project, we will apply optical microscopy, AFM, nanopipettes and the related fluidic force microscope (FluidFM) for single cell mechanobiology. Potential research directions include: Development of combined AFM and nanopipette methods for quantifying the mechanics of soft matter, proteins and mammalian cells; establishing standardised metrics for single-molecule and single-cell force spectroscopy; controlling cell shape on ECM patterns and studying the effect on cell mechanics; modelling ion diffusion in the porous structure of hydrogels and biological matter using finite element simulations.
The PhD position is part of the EU Doctoral Network NanoRAM: Emerging Nanotools for Soft Matter Characterisation and Manipulation. NanoRAM consists of 19 organisations across 12 countries. You will be employed by Dansk Fundamental Metrologi A/S (DFM), enrolled at Aarhus University (AU) and will spend time at the partner University ETH Zürich (read more at nanoram-dn.com/). You should expect to spend most of your time at Aarhus University.
Salary, holiday payment, pension contributions and the like include all employer and employee's taxes and contributions. Thus, figures are before taxes are paid, and taxes may differ depending on individual circumstances. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement, and salary is depending on seniority. Salary includes a non-pensionable PhD supplement. The allowances mentioned in the EU work programme (living allowance, mobility allowance and, if applicable, family allowance) will be part of the salary. Allowance rates can be found in the relevant EU Work Programme (under MSCA doctoral network - Applicable unit contributions), and country correction coefficient can be found in the same document.
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Qualifications and specific competences:
We are looking for a motivated candidate with a recent master’s degree (120 ECTS) in engineering, nanoscience, physics, materials science, or similar.
Previous experience with scanning probe microscopy is highly welcomed but not a prerequisite. Experience with cell culture, optical microscopy, electrochemistry and finite element modelling is also of value.
EU eligibility requirements in Marie Curie Doctoral Networks:
• Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• Researchers must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, and for Joint Doctorates in at least two.
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
• Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention 75 are not taken into account.
• Secondments are eligible for up to one third of the actual months spent implementing the research training activities under the action.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)
Gustav Wieds Vej 14
8000 Aarhus C
&
Dansk Fundamental Metrologi A/S
Kogle Allé 5
2970 Hørsholm, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Mingdong Dong, dong@inano.au.dk or Hüsnü Aslan, asl@dfm.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 September 2024)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
