PhD: Micro-/Nanofluidics for Bio-applications

Department/faculty: Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Level: Master degree
Working hours: 38 hours per week
Contract: 4 years
Salary: €2083 to €2664 per month gross

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The 3mE Faculty trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3mE is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits.

The Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering (PME) focuses on developing knowledge and methods for small, innovative, high-precision devices and systems, such as precision equipment and scientific instrumentation for the high-tech industry. Increasing miniaturisation and function density and improving precision, speed and reliability are the key topics in our work. Our approach is multidisciplinary, fundamental and inspired by industry needs.

The goal of the Micro- and Nano-engineering (MNE) section is to develop the nanotechnology base for advancing mechanical engineering by pairing basic nanoscience with engineering and production concepts. We do this by:
• Experimental, interdisciplinary research on instrumentation for manipulating, modifying and analysing objects at the nanometre scale
• Research on fundamentals of assembly techniques for building systems and devices from functional building blocks and components
• Investigating friction and wear at interfaces in microsystems and studying their influence on MEMS reliability.

Job description

The goal is to develop a new method for preparing biological samples for cryo-electron microscopes by using hollow cantilevers. The candidate will carry out research on the fabrication of hollow microcantilevers integrated with a fluid control network. A setup will be built to investigate controlled dispensing and aspiration of multiple analytes in the femtolitre volume range. The task will be to optimise fluid flow manipulation compatible with the sample preparation requirements of cryoEM. It involves extensive cleanroom fabrication of devices, optimsing the device conditions to handle biological samples, and exploring and implementing the physics of micro- and nanofluidics. The project has a team of micro/nano technologists, biologists and physicists and is funded by the Dutch technology foundation STW.

Requirements

The candidate must have a Master degree in one of the engineering disciplines or applied science, and a relevant specialisation, e.g. nano-engineering, microfluidics, microsystems/MEMS, or lab-on-a-chip research. Applicants must be capable of working independently. Work experience in a cleanroom is not mandatory but preferred. Must be a team player, willing to work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information.

Information and application

For more information about this position, please contact B. E. van Someren, phone: +31 (0)15-2788726, e-mail: application-3mE@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, publication list (if any), contact references and a letter of application by 11 January 2014 to B. E. van Someren, application-3mE@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number 3ME14-62.