Research Fellow - Applied optical microscopy systems

Research Fellow - Applied optical microscopy systems

Job Reference: Ref. 11.23.63/1

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Medical Devices

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 24 months

Open Date for Applications: June 17th 2024

Closing Date for Applications: July 1st, 2024, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #instrumentationdevelopment #opticalmicroscopy #cellsorting #optics #microfluidics

Overview

The Medical Devices Research Group is dedicated to the development of innovative devices for cutting-edge applications in life sciences.

We are seeking a highly-motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team tackling the development of novel fluorescent activated microfluidic bacteria sorting device for the automated affinity optimization of antibodies, under the project Accelerated Discovery Nanobody Platform – ALADDIN, funded by a grant from European Commission Pathfinder programme with reference number 101130574.

Bacteria is an attractive class of organisms for biotechnology due to their simplicity, rapid growth and easier handling compare to more complex and delicate eukaryotic cells. Bacteria can be also genetically engineered to express variety of proteins. These proteins could be further optimized for specific pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. Often high affinity to specific target molecules (such as antibody-antigen interaction) is the desired characteristic. In order to optimize proteins, the capability to quickly sort the bacteria based on their affinities is required. Fluorescence is attractive, as it offers possibilities for high-accuracy measurements of binding.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Design and implement a system for fast and sensitive fluorescence based sorting in microfluidic devices;
• Build optical fluorescence microscopy setup with lasers and PMT/APD sensors and camera;
• Integrate a microfluidic device with the setup, including positioning and electromechanical actuation;
• Develop an electronic control system connecting optical input signal and electromechanical actuation as an output;
• Test, optimise and benchmark the system performance with test particles and bacteria;
• Participate in research planning and experimental design activities;
• Contribute to the group’s sustainability and core activities;
• Contribute to the dissemination of scientific results in high quality journals and by participating in national and international conferences;
• Contribute to preparing required reports and documentation.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• PhD in Physics, Biophysics, Optics, Biomedical engineering, other Physical or Engineering sciences or related areas.

Technical Skills

• Building optical setup, involving lasers, lenses, filters, PMTs/APDs, camera, micro-positioners and other precision opto-mechanical components etc;
• Developing electronic control systems based on DAQ cards or microcontrollers for signal processing and actuation;
• Practical mechanics to complement the system, where needed (3D CAD design, rapid prototyping with CNC micro-milling or 3D printing, considerations of mechanical stability);
• Data analysis (e.g., signal processing, noise, statistics etc.).

Preferred Experience and Technical skills

• Experience and knowledge of instrumentation development and optical microscopy systems for biophysical applications is a plus;
• Experience with microfluidics, basic electronics and programming (such as Matlab, Python, Arduino) are also highly advantageous;
• Knowledge about electromechanical actuators;
• Finite element modelling (COMSOL);
• Experience writing reports (e.g., for funding agencies) is valued;
• Skills to mentor younger students and communicate with collaborators with different backgrounds is advantageous.

Personal Skills

• “Hands-on” approach together with a high commitment in respecting deadlines;
• Problem-solving capability;
• Ability to work independently and as team player in an international team;
• Organizational skills;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Impeccable data management skills;
• Proficiency in English (spoken, written and reading comprehension).

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availabilit