Doctoral student in next-generation sensors for biomolecular sequencing - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Electrical engineering

Sequencing biomolecular strands such as DNA and RNA is a vital tool in biology and medicine. The continued development of faster and cheaper sequencing technologies is expected to pave the way towards the widespread use of sequencing in diagnostics and therapy. A particularly attractive vision for the future of sequencing technologies is the development of a system where the sensing element is made out of non-biological materials in a scalable process, and which uses an entirely electrical sensing modality. Our long-term goal is to develop such a sequencing system based on nanogap electrodes, fabricated using the scalable crack-defined break junction method recently developed at our research group at KTH, to perform high speed electrical detection and sequencing of biomolecules.

The Division of Micro and Nanosystems is looking for a doctoral student who will work on developing the next-generation nanogap electrode sensors for high-speed electrical detection and sequencing of biomolecules. The work encompasses the design and microfabrication of the sensors as well as the construction of the setup used to perform electrical characterization and sensing experiments with the developed sensors. You will be supervised by Prof. Frank Niklaus and become part of sensor development in QuantumSense, a recently launched interdisciplinary research environment involving research from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet (KI), and the SciLifeLab in Stockholm, Sweden, devoted to realizing a next-generation sequencing technology. A brief description of the technology and the long term objective of the project is available at https://bit.ly/2FjwEZH .

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• The Division of Micro and Nanosystems is a leading research group in micro and nanotechnologies and as a PhD student you will be part of an interdisciplinary research team consisting of > 40 members with different professional and cultural backgrounds.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach,
• analyse and work with complex issues,
• ability to communicate clearly in spoken and written English,
• excellence of academic track record,
• high level of motivation for experimental research.

The successful applicant is expected to hold a M.Sc. degree in engineering physics, electrical engineering,  materials science, mechanical engineering, bioengineering, or a corresponding degree from a major university. A specialization in micro and nanosystems is an asset.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.