Phd - 3D mechanical stimulation for studying mechanotransduction of stem cells

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Biological and Electrical Engineering programme. The position is available from 1 August 2024 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title:
3D mechanical stimulation for studying mechanotransduction of stem cells

Research area and project description:
We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate to work with the development of multi-modal cell stimuli systems. The objective of the project is to develop a unique system that can realise mechanical, electrical and biochemical cell stimuli, while deciphering the role of different factors such as the mechanics, porosity, chemical composition, presence of integrin binding sites and viscoelastic properties of the scaffold in dictating the stem cell differentiation. Potential research directions include: development of a novel piezoelectric cellulose nanocrystal system for cell mechanotransduction; establishing advanced sensing, measurement, actuation and control methodologies for precision mechanical stimulation and characterisation; development of a picobalance based on a photothermally excited cantilever to link cell mass to cellular state and morphology.

The PhD position is part of the EU Doctoral Network NanoRAM: Emerging Nanotools for Soft Matter Characterisation and Manipulation. NanoRAM brings together people and organisations from across the world to train a new generation of scientists in the development and application of newly developed manipulation and characterisation nanotools in soft matter research. The PhD candidate will go on secondments to partner organisations as well as participate in consortium meetings and workshops. Read more about NanoRAM at https://nanoram-dn.com/.

Salary, holiday payment, pension contributions and the like include all employer and employee's taxes and contributions. Thus, figures are before taxes are paid, and taxes may differ depending on individual circumstances. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement, and salary is depending on seniority. Salary includes a non-pensionable PhD supplement. The allowances mentioned in the EU work programme (living allowance, mobility allowance and, if applicable, family allowance) will be part of the salary. Allowance rates can be found in the relevant EU Work Programme (under MSCA doctoral network - Applicable unit contributions), and country correction coefficient can be found in the same document.

Project description (½-4 pages):
This document should describe your ideas and research plans for this specific project. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.

Qualifications and specific competences:
We are looking for a motivated candidate with a recent Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular biology, biomedicine or biomedical engineering with an excellent and documented exam record. Candidates with previous knowledge in electrospinning, microfluidics, hydrogel materials and electrophysiology will be preferred.

The candidate must comply with the Mobility Rule: The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the start date.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10, building 3133, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

EU eligibility requirements in Marie Curie Doctoral Networks:

• Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• Researchers must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, and for Joint Doctorates in at least two.
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
• Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention75 are not taken into account.
• Secondments are eligible for up to one third of the actual months spent implementing the research training activities under the action.
• In case of industrial doctorates, doctoral candidates must spend at least 50% of their fellowship duration in the non-academic sector.’

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:

• Menglin Chen, [email protected] (main supervisor)

How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 15 April at 23:59 CEST

Preferred starting date is 1 August 2024.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.