Postdoctoral position in Biological physics, Sweden

Living organisms contain a variety of naturally occurring lipid-based vesicles with distinct biochemical, structural and mechanical properties that allow them to fulfill well-defined biological functions in our body. Exosomes, for example, are small vesicles secreted from cells that can be isolated from body fluids such as blood and urine. Viruses are small pathogenic particles that highjack the cell to replicate and spread. Detailed characterization of biological nanoparticles is challenging because of their small size and their intrinsically heterogeneous nature with respect to for example size and composition. Moreover, biological samples are typically relatively dilute and can often only be obtained in small volumes, thereby requiring methodologies that can be scaled down to the low microliter regime.

The focus of this postdoc project is the development and implementation of a nanofluidic device for fluorescence-based analysis of small biological particles on a single particle level. The project will involve further development of a currently existing prototype but also its implementation in the analysis of extracellular vesicle samples. More specifically, we will in this project analyze chosen samples, characterize their physico-chemical properties of existing subpopulations and quantify the particles. The overall scope is to establish the relation between the properties of the vesicles and their biofunctionality for a given biological problem related to viruses and/or exosomes.

This postdoc project will be carried out as a collaboration between Asst. Prof. Marta Bally (division of Biological Physics, dept. of applied physics) and Assoc. Prof. Fredrik Westerlund (division of Chemical Biology, dept. of Biology and Biological Engineering). The young group of M. Bally focuses on the study of biological nanoparticles (viruses and exosomes), on their interaction with cellular membranes and on the relationship between their properties and their biological function.  The group of F Westerlund works on developing new nanofluidic-based tools with applications ranging from single molecule biophysics to clinical diagnostics. The project is also carried out in collaboration with Elin Esbjörner-Winters (division of Chemical Biology, dept. of Biology and Biological Engineering. We further collaborate with a number of medical researchers from the nearby Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Major responsibilitiesThe Post Doc will work with the development of analytical procedures to quantify vesicles and characterize their physico-chemical properties using the nanofluidic device and two-channel fluorescence observation. Further developments of the nanofluidic device design is also envisioned.

Your major responsibility as postdoc is to perform your own research in a research group. The position also includes supervising master's and/or PhD students to a certain extent. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Position summaryThe position is funded by a scholarship available to non-Swedish citizens with a PhD from a non-Swedish university (received not more than two years before the starting date of the scholarship), who wish to come to Sweden and conduct postdoctoral research. The scholarship is free of tax. Health care insurance will be provided. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

QualificationsThe successful candidate should have a PhD in biosciences, biophysics, bioengineering, analytical chemistry, or related disciplines. Expertise in micro/nanofluidics, in working with lipid assemblies, in the design of bioanalytical assays or in single particle tracking/characterization using fluorescence microscopy would be a strong asset. Some basic knowledge in Matlab is also preferred.


Application procedure

The application should be marked with Ref 20150452 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:
1. An application of a maximum of one A4 page containing your specific qualifications for the position2. Attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents3. Curriculum Vitae4. Letters of recommendation and name of at least 2 reference persons.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 20 January 2016
For questions, please contact:Assistant professor Marta Bally
Biological Physics
E-mail: bally@chalmers.sePhone +46 31 772 32 66

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