Postdoctoral position in Nanofluidics and Nanoplasmonics at Chemical Physics, Chalmers

Stimulated by major needs and challenges in science and society, our ambition is to foster a creative environment for academic research, teaching and outreach. We provide a competitive advantage by linking top-level international and interdisciplinary academic performance in the areas of material science, nanotechnology and energy research with world-leading industrial R&D&I projects.

We address a wide array of experimental, computational, methodological and theoretical challenges, from fundamental physics research, through the development of new materials to direct industrial projects generating new inventions. We have a strong learning commitment on all levels from undergraduate to PhD studies where physics meet engineering.

We are situated in a stimulating and creative environment with 200 physics teachers and researchers, 120 PhD students and 550 undergraduate students.

Information about the division
The project follows a multidisciplinary approach and is therefore shared between the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Applied Physics where the project is formally hosted. At Applied Physics/Chemical Physics (C. Langhammer) we focus on fabrication, characterization and exploitation of metallic nanostructures that exhibit localized surface plasmon resonances and act as in situ probes for innovative sensing applications in the fields of surface science, nanomaterials science and catalysis. We have also a strong track record in the development of novel experimental methodologies and design of experimental equipment rooted in a background in surface science and catalysis research.
At Chemical and Biological Engineering/Chemistry and Bioscience (F. Westerlund) we use nanofluidic tools to study biomolecules in general and DNA in particular. We use the tools in genomic applications as well as for understanding interactions between DNA and proteins or ligands. We are also interested in developing novel methodologies based on nanofluidics.
Job description
This Postdoc position concerns a project aiming at the development, nanofabrication and characterization of optically transparent nanofluidic platforms tailored for in situ single particle nanoplasmonic dark-field scattering spectroscopy experiments. A critical ingredient for the project is optimization of the integrated nanoplasmonic sensors in terms of (i) sensitivity and (ii) compatibility with the different targeted areas of application for the device. The latter include two vastly different research fields, namely single molecule biophysics and nanomaterials science/catalysis. In materials science/catalysis applications the device will be used as novel type of nanoreactor for ultimate control of the chemical and temperature environment of single functional nano-entities whith built in plasmonic sensing functionality. In the biophysics applications we target performing label-free studies of DNA and DNA-protein interactions.
The employment is limited to a maximum of 2 years (1+1).
Qualifications
The applicant should have a Ph.D. degree (normally not older than 3 years) preferably in Materials Science, Applied Physics, (Bio)Physics or Biochemistry. Previous experience with electron-beam lithography and general micro / nanofabrication in clean room environment is strongly prioritized. Proven interest / previous experience in nanooptics and nanoplasmonics is a merit. In order to improve the gender balance at the Department, we welcome in particular applications from female candidates. Our working language is English.

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