PhD scholarship in Nanofluidic Characterization of Biological Nanoparticles

A fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship is available at DTU Health Tech in the group Nanofluidics and Bioimaging. The PhD scholarship is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation NERD 2021 programme awarded to Associate Professor and group leader Rodolphe Marie.

Earliest starting date is 1 January 2022.

Applicants are encouraged to look at the group’s web site for details about its research: www.healthtech.dtu.dk/nanofluidics-and-bioimaging .

About the project
In the ‘Nanofluidics and Bioimaging’ group, we have a unique platform for purification and characterization of biological nanoparticles. Here we combine micro- and nanofluidics with fluorescence microscopy for applications within diagnostics.

Exosomes are micro- or nanoscopic particles composed of many different biomolecules. They are found in liquid biopsies and due to their cellular origin, they are interesting targets for powerful diagnostics tools.

Recently we developed a nanofludics trap that can trap and characterize nanoparticles, and we demonstrated it on exosomes. The vision for this PhD project is to develop the technology towards diagnostic applications.  

In this project, you will work with designing and applying micro- and nanofluidics devices that can isolate nanoparticles from complex biological fluids. You will primarily focus on experiments that combine micro- and nanofluidics with optical microscopy.

The project will be supervised by Associate Professor Rodolphe Marie at DTU Health Tech and co-supervised by Associate Professor Jonas Nyvold Pedersen (DTU Health Tech).

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be the first of three PhD students employed in the NERD research project. You will work closely with the two other PhD students in the project towards a common goal, but you will be responsible for your own PhD project. You will be enrolled in the PhD school at DTU Health Technology. Specifically, as a PhD student, you will be part of the ‘Nanofluidics and Bioimaging’ group led by Associate Professor Rodolphe Marie. We expect that you:

• will be responsible for designing micro- and nanofluidic devices based on your understanding of physics of fluids.
• will be responsible for the micro- and nanofabrication of these devices at DTU’s cleanroom facility (DTU Nanolab).
• will be responsible for performing experimental work with micro- and nanofluidic devices.
• work with laser optics, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative biophysics measurement of single fluorophores and nanoparticles.
• apply data analysis methods on your microscopy data.
• are fluent in English (oral and written).
• have good collaborative skills and will contribute to the pleasant working environment in the group and in the department.

You should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in physics, material sciences or nanotechnology, or a degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree within the same disciplines. A track record of experimental work within the areas of physics or material sciences will be preferred.

The vacancy is open to candidates who are in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree (Eligibility rule).

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide .  

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by the team of supervisors. Final assessment will be based on an interview.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.  

Your workplace will be DTU, Kongens Lyngby Campus, Denmark.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here . 

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Rodolphe Marie, email: [email protected] , tel.: +45 4525 5676. 

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english . 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .  

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than1 November 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here )

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.