"PhD position: Microfluidic NMR spectroscopy for microbiological investigations"

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in microfluidics, hardware development and NMR spectroscopy. The project focuses on designing and manufacturing innovative microfluidic devices to be used for discovering and isolating novel syntrophic microbes from anoxic environments, with the aim of understanding microbial interactions, metabolic capabilities, and ecological roles. The PhD position is part of the NWO-funded project ‘BREATHLESS: uncovering the love affairs of anaerobic microbes through omics and microfluidics’. You will focus on the microfluidics design and fabrication part in the project, and will be working in close collaboration with a partner PhD candidate in the Microbiology group. By prototyping a variety of microfluidic devices, you will isolate and characterize microbes and investigate them under anoxic conditions with microliter-scale NMR spectroscopy to study metabolism at the single- or aggregate-cell level. You will be based at the Laboratory of BioNanoTechnology and work in close collaboration with the Laboratory of Microbiology, fostering interdisciplinary research between the two teams at the interface of microbial ecology and advanced analytical technology. In our laboratories we have state-of-the-art 3D printers and CNC machines as well as NMR spectrometers.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and manufacture microfluidic chips and devices which should be operational under oxygen-free conditions.
• Integrate NMR detectors and electronics with the anoxic microfluidic platform and perform high-resolution in-vivo spectroscopy.
• Investigate microbial interactions with the developed devices, particularly performing metabolic profiling using NMR spectroscopy.
• Integrate advanced analytical technologies with microbial ecology, through interdisciplinary collaboration between the Laboratories of BioNanoTechnology and that of Microbiology.
• Communicate research findings through scientific publications, presentations, and collaborative meetings.
• Participate in teaching and mentoring of students.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development opportunities.

You will work here: The research is embedded within the chair group BioNanoTechnology where you will work under supervision of prof. dr. Aldrik Velders and dr. Sander Baas. The project is conducted under co-supervision in close collaboration with prof. dr. Diana Machado de Sousa of the Microbiology group.

Requirements:

• You are a curious and highly motivated individual with a genuine passion for applied microfluidics, hardware development and spectroscopy.
• You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and you thrive in both independent and collaborative research environments.
• A successfully completed MSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical engineering, Nanotechnology, Nanobiology, Biophysics, Biotechnology or related programs.
• Knowledge of microfluidics and state-of-the-art molecular spectroscopy techniques.
• Experience with microfluidics and / or NMR spectroscopy is considered an advantage.
• Affinity for working with microfluidics and hardware development challenges.
• Ability to manage time effectively, set goals, and achieve research milestones.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills.
• Interest in national and international collaborations and interdisciplinary research.
• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level.

Conditions of employment:

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include: Partially paid parental leave; working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee; a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team. The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.