Project

The ability to continuously monitor biomolecular markers has the potential to revolutionize health care by allowing real-time monitoring of disease progression. Commercial sensors are available for continuous monitoring of glucose, but do not exist for other molecules that are important for monitoring disease status and treatment effect, including peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, hormones, and drugs. The PhD student will develop single-molecule and continuous biosensing principles based on plasmonic nanoparticles and optical detection methods. The project involves the design of plasmonic sensing concepts, particle biofunctionalization strategies, and single-molecule microscopy. The newly developed sensors will enable the continuous monitoring of key inflammatory markers.

Embedding

You will be part of the Molecular Plasmonics group, which is embedded in the Molecular Biosensing (MBx) group at the faculty of Applied Physics. We investigate nanotechnologies for single-molecule biophysical studies and biosensing applications. We focus on nanoplasmonic technologies based on particles with a biochemically active surface coating. The particles allow us to capture, detect and actively transport single biomolecules, and to quantify the properties of molecules in complex biological fluids. Main research activities in the lab focus on the functionalization and characterization at the single-molecule level (using e.g. super-resolution microscopy), and the development of novel single-molecule sensing concepts based on fluorescence and label-free detection principles. The consortium is completed by a strong network of partner industries and organizations and will provide excellent training to 15 PhD students, allowing them to develop professionally and perform world-class research to advance the field of biosensing.

About Marie Curie ETN

The PhD project is part of CONSENSE, a European-wide Marie-Curie ETN program that combines advanced molecular engineering with tailored optical detection technologies to yield generic, affinity-based biosensing technologies (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/955623). Consense establishes a unique and well-structured training network with leading research labs from European universities and industry in the domain of biosensing. The 15 PhD students will form a research team that is embedded in leading industrial and academic R&D labs. This will bridge the gap between the various disciplines by uniting their research efforts to solve the challenges.

We are looking for

• A physical chemist (master's degree or an equivalent university degree) who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary academic environment and wants to apply state-of-the-art microscopy approaches to develop new concepts for continuous biosensing.
• The ideal candidate has experience with optical microscopy, surface chemistry, and data processing.
• Important personal skills include an analytical mind, an ability to manage projects, the ability to enthusiastically communicate and collaborate with external parties, and the desire to work in a team.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation after one year.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.