Postdoc in microfluidic cell sorting and process automation

ICFO is offering a postdoctoral position to a well-qualified, highly motivated and dynamic young scientist who wishes to enhance his/her scientific career in a friendly and stimulating environment. The successful candidate will be joining the Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology group led by Prof. Dr. Michael Krieg in the framework of an international collaboration between ICFO, LMU Munich and UC Santa Barbara. The main task of the advertised position is to build multilayer optofluidic device for single cell sorting followed by DNA extraction and on chip amplification.

The device shall combine optical sorting of cells expressing fluorescent biomarkers for on chip lifespan determination and DNA extraction. The ultimate goal is to decipher the role of replicative lifespan of yeast cells in mitochondrial health and DNA damage. The Krieg lab has extensive experience in mechanobiology in C. elegans and zebrafish using advanced microscopy techniques, microfluidics and optical tweezers to interrogate fundamental mechanical processes in neurons and during development. We primarily use C. elegans due to its many advantages as a genetic model system and its wealth of mutant and cell biological tools. Also, we combine experiments with theory and simulations to obtain a systems view of cellular processes. The project is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative and the successful applicant is expected to work in a team of engineers, phycisists and biologists to build an automated devices for tracking healthspan of individual cells across multiple generations.

The candidate has the opportunity to travel internationally to the participating labs in Munich (Osman lab) and Santa Barbara (Shraiman lab). Candidates must hold, at the time of contract initiation, an internationally-recognized experimental Ph.D.-equivalent degree (or evidence of its completion in the nearest future) preferably in bio-engineering, mechanical engineering with a strong background in microfluidic technologies for bio applications. The candidate should have prior experience in advanced microfluidics for bio-applications/bioengineering with strong background in molecular biology and microscopy. Ideally, the candidate should have experience in single cell biology and fluorescence microscopy. Positively valued will be experience in work with recombinant DNA technology, on-chip DNA amplification and digital droplet PCR experiments. The successful candidate will autonomously fabricate dual layer device for fluid control using Quake valves and feel comfortable to operate in a clean room and test it in a real world scenario to trouble shoot its performance.

ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are selected exclusively on merit and potential on the basis of submitted application material. No restrictions related to disabilities, citizenship or gender apply to ICFO positions. ICFO abides by the principles of openness, efficiency, transparency, supportiveness, and international comparability as stated in the European Charter for Researchers and the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Salaries for ICFO Postdoctoral positions are assigned by the Selection Committee, based on experience and seniority of the applicant, as well as the assigned tasks and responsibilities within the group. Standard salaries range from a lower level aligned with national Ramon-y-Cajal fellowships to higher levels aligned with Marie Skłodowska-Curie individual fellowships. The contract is offered for a period of 3 years. Additionally, a family allowance is also available on request and after corresponding approval for people with family charges in the terms described in the corresponding policy.

Suitable candidates are requested to submit: - Presentation letter with a declaration of interest, - Curriculum Vitae, including contact details, - The contact e-mail of two potential referees. Candidates will be assessed as they apply and the call will remain open until the suitable candidate is identified. Candidates may contact jobs@icfo.eu for formal enquiries regarding the application, as well as address scientific enquiries to michael.krieg@icfo.eu For updated information about ICFO, please visit https://www.icfo.eu.