Key Skills

Job Description

PDoc Single Biomolecules Chemical Analysis in Physiological Liquid Conditions We are looking for a talented Post-Doctoral Researcher for a 1- to 2-years position for the development of AFM-IR infrared nanospectroscopy in combination with microfluidics to achieve chemical analysis of protein and their assemblies in liquid physiological conditions. As a post-doctoral researcher, you will contribute to push the boundaries of nano-chemical analysis, withing the Ruggeri’s lab at Wageningen University in the frame of the project Nano-Scope. The Nano-Scope project focuses on the study of protein interactions and self-assembly in disease and drug formulations at the single-molecule level; and it runs in collaboration with dr. Ioana Ilie at Amsterdam University, as well as several industrial partners: Bruker Nano (USA); Digital Surf (France); Novo Nordisk (Denmark); Discoveric Bio Alpha (Switzerland). Your duties and responsibilities include: developing and applying nano-chemical imaging and spectroscopy via AFM-IR to study protein structure and chemical properties; developing the technical capabilities of AFM-IR in liquid environment leveraging microfluidics; preparing and pre-characterising protein-based samples for nano-analysis; writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals reporting on the results of your research; supervising MSc and PhD students. Your Qualities: You are an ambitious, curiosity-driven and collaboration-oriented scientist, with: a strong academic record and PhD in physical chemistry, physics, chemistry, biophysics or a related topic; demonstrated hands-on experience using AFM in liquid; experience with microfluidics design and operation; demonstrated skills in the preparation, handling and characterization of protein or biomolecular samples; experience with, or knowledge of AFM-IR; excellent oral and written communications skills.

Core Responsibilities

Develop and apply AFM-IR nanospectroscopy and microfluidics methods to analyze protein structure and chemical properties in physiological liquid conditions, including preparing and characterizing samples. Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and supervise MSc and PhD students.

Requirements

A PhD in physical chemistry, physics, chemistry, biophysics, or a related field, with a strong academic record, is required. Candidates should have hands-on experience with AFM in liquid, microfluidics, and protein or biomolecular sample preparation and characterization; AFM-IR experience or knowledge and excellent communication skills are also sought.