PhD Candidate in Physics of Ultrasonic Gene Transfection

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

Gene transfection is the process of delivering genetic material into cells to modify the cell physiology. The approach has high potential in development of regenerative therapies. Ultrasound is one approach to provide a way to allow entry of genetic materials into cells. The current approaches of ultrasonic gene delivery has several limitations. The project in question aims at addressing selected limitations.

We are looking for an excellent PhD Candidate to work in the field of physics of ultrasonic gene transfection.

The specific research topic has a high level of novelty and we foresee a high potential of the research results to be applied into practice with successful conduction of the project. Your main research activities would include acoustic modelling, development of experimental arrangements, acoustic characterization, gene transfection and applying methods (e.g. microscopy) to assess gene delivery, followed by scientific reporting. There may be occasional supervisory or teaching duties.

The ideal candidate has a MSc degree in biomedical engineering, physics or acoustics, but an applicable other degree may apply. You should have strong skills in physics and mathematics, excellent merits in your studies and demonstrated skills in theoretical and/or experimental work during your MSc thesis. While not mandatory, a bonus is to have knowledge in ultrasonics, especially in non-linear ultrasonics. The candidate should be ready and capable to work experimentally with cells. If you have not graduated yet, you should obtain your MSc degree by the end of August 2022. The anticipated starting date is September 1 and applicants being able to start the project earlier may have an advantage in the selection process.

You communicate clearly and have excellent interpersonal skills. You can work both independently and as a part of the team. You demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to academic research. You will work along with other researchers from Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (MEDUSA) (main site of your research) at Aalto University and collaborating laboratories. MEDUSA's research funders include Academy of Finland, Business Finland, EU and Jane & Aatos Erkko Foundation.

The salary level is fixed to departmental levels based on career stage starting from approx. 2600 €. The time to complete the PhD is four years, once accepted to the doctoral programme.

Please, provide the following as separate documents along with your application:

• 1-page motivation letter specific to this call
• CV with a possible list of publications
• Transcript of records
• Your MSc thesis
• List of references and reference letters

If you are already working at Aalto University, please apply via our internal Workday system (Internal Jobs).  

For more information, please contact Prof. Heikki Nieminen, the Head of MEDUSA by email heikki.j.nieminen@aalto.fi , goncalo.barreto@aalto.fi and sanjeev.ranjan@aalto.fi and in application process related questions HR Coordinator Mari Kaarni mari.kaarni@aalto.fi . To learn more about our lab, please visit http://medusa.aalto.fi .

The call is open until July 31, 2022 and all applications will be reviewed once the call is closed.

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Keywords: physics, physical acoustics, acoustics, gene transfection, ultrasound, ultrasonics

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