PhD in Labeling techniques for droplet microfluidic applications in biosciences

Project

We are looking for an ambitious PhD candidate to develop novel labeling techniques for droplet microfluidic high-throughput assays in biosciences. The PhD project aims to develop user-friendly droplet-based pipelines that assist in answering vital biological and environmental questions to address grand societal challenges.

This PhD Position is offered by the Microfluidics lab at Department of Chemistry and biotechnology at TalTech, Estonia (https://taltech.ee/en/department-chemistry-biotechnology/division-of-ge…).

The prospective PhD project is developed around these topics currently pursued in the Microfluidics lab:

• Development of user-friendly droplet microfluidic technologies for biotechnology
• Analysis of different anthropogenic pollutants (Micro-and nanoplastic, metals, chemicals, etc) and their biological impact at single cell level
• Labels for DNA nanotechnology in droplets
• Prospective students can also propose and develop their own research directions in the field of different labelling techniques that can be used in droplet microfluidics

For further information, please contact Prof. Ott Scheler (ott.scheler@taltech.ee) or Dr. Simona Bartkova (simona.bartkova@taltech.ee)

We offer

• 4-year fully funded PhD position in a leading technological research University in Estonia
• Starting date: flexible, September 2024 the earliest
• Opportunities for conference visits, research stays and interdisciplinary networking with international collaborators
• Starting gross salary package at least 1828 EUR/month, with potential for increase depending on performance
• Position comes with full social and medical benefits in Estonia

Requirements

• a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a natural sciences (e.g in molecular biology, gene technology, microbiology, biochemistry or similar)
• previous hands-on experience with basic laboratory procedures and techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, genetic engineering, biochemistry or similar
• clear interest in the topic of the position
• strong writing and analytical skills
• ability to work both as an independent researcher, and as part of a dynamic and international team

Following skills would be beneficial but are not expected.

• Microfluidics (especially droplet-based microfluidics)
• Light microscopy, (confocal) fluorescence microscopy
• DNA nanotechnology
• Nucleic acid amplification technologies
• Experience in image analysis
• Self-assembly of organic dyes and probe design
• Experience in statistics and/or data analysis
• Bioinformatics and computational biology

How to apply?

Please send following application data in a single pdf to ott.scheler@taltech.ee

• I) CV, II) Motivation letter
• PS! Combined pdf file cannot exceed 3 A4 pages with font 11, longer applications will not be considered
• Only candidates selected for the second round will be notified

Additional information

• About the host University (https://taltech.ee/en) and Department (https://taltech.ee/en/department-chemistry-biotechnology)
• About PhD studies at TalTech (https://taltech.ee/en/PhD/home)
• About relocating to Estonia: https://workinestonia.com/