The Mesoscale Chemical Systems (MCS) group has a vacancy for a PhD student to work on microfluidics for the separation of enantiomers. Separating enantiomers is crucial to produce bio-active molecules, e.g., in early-phase drug discovery. The project aims at a radically new strategy to separate enantiomers on chip, using chiral optical forces at silicon-based optical waveguides and integration with microfluidics. The proposed method has the promise to be quick, tunable, and cheap. The focus of the PhD student in the MCS group will be on the design, fabrication, and testing of the microfluidic parts of the chip, which eventually will be monolithically integrated with the photonic components developed by one of the partner institutions in the project.
This topic is part of a Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder project with several industrial and academic partners with a strong international reputation. The project theme is Chiral separation of molecules enabled by enantioselective optical forces in integrated nanophotonic circuits (acronym: CHIRALFORCE). The final goal is a unique platform combining a microfluidic microchannel network with photonic integrated circuits to separate enantiomeric nanoparticles and molecules in liquid environments.
The prospective PhD student will have full access to a state-of-the-art cleanroom facility at the MESA+ Nanolab for fabrication of the devices as well as advanced equipment for microfluidic characterization in the MCS group labs. Type of work: 20% microfluidics design and modelling; 50% experimental device fabrication, 30% microfluidic-optical characterization.
YOUR PROFILE
- You are highly motivated and an enthusiastic researcher.
- You have a MSc degree in chemical engineering, nanotechnology, applied physics or a related topic, with excellent theoretical and experimental skills.
- You have proven affinity with microfabrication, and preferably with microfluidics.
- You have good team spirit and like to work in an internationally oriented environment and willing to travel to other labs within Europe for specialized experimentation.
- You are proficient in English
OUR OFFER
- Fulltime position for four years
- The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
- The PhD salary is € 2.541,- in the first year and increases to € 3.247,- in the fourth year.
- A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- The number of holiday hours for full-time employment is 232 hours per calendar year.
- A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Your reaction should include an application/motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation, a detailed CV, and an academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure. Please apply via the provided button below.
For more information about the position, you are encouraged to contact our secretary Mrs. Keekstra-Boogaard, email b.j.boogaard@utwente.nl.
Please apply via the button below.