Postdoctoral Researcher in Bio-electrochemistry and Nucleic Acid Detection

Department: Department of Bioscience Engineering
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Bioscience Engineering in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral researcher in the field of bio-electrochemistry and nucleic acid detection.

A-Sense Lab at the University of Antwerp has an open position for a postdoctoral researcher to strengthen our developments in the field of photo-electrochemical sensors for nucleic acid-based cancer biomarkers within the interdisciplinary project SOCan. SOCan “A photo-electrochemical singlet oxygen-based platform for the rapid detection of a panel of cancer biomarkers in tissue and liquid biopsies” is a project involving six research groups [two at UAntwerp, two at UGhent and two at UZA]. This interdisciplinary project houses seven PhD students and five postdoctoral researchers. The project aims to develop, optimize and validate a novel photo-electrochemical detection technology for a panel of nucleic acid cancer biomarkers. Hence, SOCan will pave the way to the construction of affordable, robust, and user-friendly platforms for healthcare applications, i.e. cancer diagnosis, follow-up and therapeutic management.

The overall goal of this postdoc is the development of novel photo-electrochemical biosensors. Due to the integration of recognition bio-elements, electrochemical biosensors are ideally suited for the selective determination of a wide variety of clinically relevant targets such as biomarkers, pathogens, etc. The detection of the biomarkers of interest will be achieved by taking advantage of the cost-effectiveness and sensitive detection provided by photo-electrochemical strategies. This postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the efforts of getting insight into a yet unexplored biosensing strategy.

Website: https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/a-sense-lab/

Position

• You will carry out high-quality scientific research and develop novel electrochemical sensing strategies for nucleic acid detection.
• You will develop new research projects according to the strategic plan of the research group A-Sense Lab and you compete for externally funded research grants.
• You will report on the results of your research and produce academic publications.
• You will assist in ongoing research projects and the activities of the research group.
• You will contribute to attracting national and international research funding.
• You will assist in the supervision of PhD students and other team members.
• If necessary, you will fulfil a limited number of teaching activities.
• You will participate in the provision of academic services: you will represent the research group both internally and externally.
• You explore the market potential of your work.

Profile

• Applicants are expected to hold a PhD in chemistry, chemical/bioscience engineering or physics, or equivalent competences gained through prior work experience.
• You can submit outstanding academic results, with publications in high impact journals.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English ?r? key assets.
• Expertise in (bio-)electrochemical sensor development is a plus.

What we offer

• A full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of 12 months, renewable after positive evaluation;
• multidisciplinary research;
• an exciting research environment with state-of-the-art instrumentation.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, a group insurance, an income protection insurance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is as soon as possible.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including April 27, 2023 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and don’t forget to include the following document(s): 1) a detailed CV (including honours, grades, skills, publications, …), (2) contact info of two references together with (3) a strong motivation letter 4) a weblink to a short video introducing yourself
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact karolien.dewael@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.