PhD on Continuous Real-Time Biomolecular Sensing with Single-Molecule Resolution

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers top-level education and research in one of the most relevant and exciting scientific disciplines of the 21st century: engineering health. In combining engineering and life sciences, through challenge-based learning and a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with hospitals, industry and others, the department addresses the great challenges of the future, striving to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Introduction

Are you eager to develop a new biosensing technology, for continuous real-time monitoring of molecules like pharmaceutical drugs and inflammatory biomarkers? Join us in tackling this challenge!

Job Description

Continuous sensors are available in society and are used by patients to monitor their glucose levels. However, continuous sensing is not yet available for monitoring low-concentration molecules such as proteins, drugs, and nucleic acids. That's what we want to achieve!

The sensing technologies that are being developed in the Molecular Biosensing group (MBx, see www.tue.nl/mbx) are unique in the world. The sensors are based on reversible single-molecule interactions, for the continuous monitoring of biomolecules at low concentrations. The sensing platform is called Biosensing by Particle Motion (BPM), using particles on a sensing surface that change their motion due to the binding of analyte molecules.

In your PhD project, you will study biomolecular aspects of BPM sensors, such as affinity binders and conjugation strategies, in order to determine how these affect the sensor performance. The PhD project is part of the iControl collaboration that includes TU Eindhoven, Erasmus Medical Center, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, and several companies (https://www.nwo.nl/en/projects/20854). Publications about the BPM sensing technology are listed on https://www.heliabiomonitoring.com/publications.

The MBx group has trans-disciplinary research approaches, including molecular bioengineering, advanced data analysis, and optical microscopies. The MBx group initiated and organizes the international competition on Sensors for Health (www.sensus.org) and the international symposium on Continuous Real-time Biomolecular Sensing (https://symposium.sensus.org/first-international-symposium-on-continuous-real-time-biomolecular-sensing/). Laboratories are shared with the Protein Engineering research group (www.tue.nl/proteinengineering) and the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (www.tue.nl/icms).

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in engineering sciences and/or analytical sciences, e.g. bio-engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, analytical chemistry.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager  Prof. M.W.J. Prins ([email protected]) and Dr. A.M. de Jong ([email protected]). 

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including the contact information of three references.
• Lists of courses and grades of your BSc and MSc degrees, as originals and as transcripts.
• Pdf copy of your final BSc thesis.
• Pdf copy of your final MSc thesis (if available).

Only complete applications will be considered. We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.