For job seekers

The Institute of Photonics and Electronics v. v. i.* invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in the field of Optical Systems for Biosensing. Join the Optical Biosensors research team (team leader Prof. Jiří Homola) and contribute to cutting-edge research in optics and biosensing.

Job description 

The selected candidate will participate in the multidisciplinary research of optical biosensors based on surface plasmons and will be expected to develop novel optical platforms for biosensors based on plasmonic nanostructures for the detection of biomolecules related to biomedicine and investigation of biomolecular and cellular processes.

Specific tasks include: 

• research of optical systems for sensing, including, in particular, the design and development of optical sensing systems employing plasmonic (nano)structures;
• integration of the developed optical systems with plasmonic nanostructures and microfluidic devices and characterization of their performance in biosensing experiments involving various biomolecules and cells.

Requirements and essential skills

• Ph. D. degree in optics, optoelectronics, physics, electrical engineering, or similar;
• strong publication record in the field of optical systems for sensing, microscopy, or plasmonics;
• experience in the design and theoretical analysis of optical systems (e.g., using Ansys ZEMAX);
• hands-on experience in the development of optical systems based on free-space optics, including design, fabrication, and characterization of such systems;
• ability to efficiently communicate with other team members and supervise students;
• good command of written and spoken English;
• expertise in the field of light sources and detectors and image data processing tools (using MATLAB, Python, LabView etc.) is of advantage.

We offer

• Participation in exciting multidisciplinary research projects with a high societal impact;
• work in an international and inclusive research team and institution;
• outstanding research infrastructure including multiple optical labs, cleanroom facilities (incl. electron-beam lithography system, and a 2-photon polymerization 3D printer), chemistry and biochemistry labs with support from professional lab technicians, computational resources, and mechanical workshop for optomechanical prototyping;
• full-time employment with five weeks of vacation and other benefits.

Terms of employment

The initial period of employment is one year (with the possibility of an extension), starting in August 2023 or soon thereafter.

Application procedure

To apply, please, respond to our HR specialist Mrs. Simona Motlová (e-mail motlova@ufe.cz) with the following documents: 

• letter of application (cover letter),
• CV,
• list of publications.

In the subject line of your email, please, state that you are applying for a Postdoctoral research fellow position in Optical Systems for Biosensing.

^{* The selection procedure is announced in accordance with the Act No. 283/1992 of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, as amended by Act No. 420/2005, and in accordance with the Statutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.}

The Institute of Photonics and Electronics v. v. i., under the Act No. 283/1992 of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, as amended by the Act No. 420/2005, and in accordance with the Statutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position focusing on the development of plasmonic biosensors for investigation of cellular processes.

Our research team Optical Biosensors (team leader Prof. Jiří Homola) is currently looking for a postdoc research fellow focusing on the development of optical affinity biosensors for the investigation of cellular processes.

Do you want to use your knowledge and experience in studying cellular processes? Do you want to develop advanced surfaces for the investigation of molecular systems, medical diagnostics, or environmental monitoring? Are you enthusiastic about multidisciplinary projects where you can work closely with experts from various fields (photonics, microfluidics, chemistry, biology, or medicine)? If your answer is yes, you should apply for this position!

Job description 

The selected candidate will carry out research and development of optical affinity biosensors to investigate cellular processes, especially cell secretion and interactions of cells with biomolecules.

Specific tasks include: 

• design and development of assays for ultrasensitive detection of selected biomolecules,
• development of functional coatings for cell adhesion and immobilization of biomolecules, 
• application of the plasmonic biosensors for the label-free investigation of cellular processes related to oncohematological diseases, 
• study of interactions of individual cells and their membrane receptors with selected cytokines or growth factors and investigation of cellular secretion of selected cytokines.

Requirements 

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, bioanalytical chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering or similar,
• publication record in a relevant field of life sciences,
• experience in research of cellular processes is of advantage,
• experience in the development of assays for the detection of biomolecules is of advantage,
• experience with optical affinity biosensors is of advantage.

We offer

• interesting and challenging work in an international research team,
• work on multidisciplinary scientific projects with potentially significant impact,
• excellent research infrastructure,
• language and professional training courses,
• five weeks of vacation,
• sport allowance (Multisport card).

Terms of employment

Full-time employment contract for two years (with the possibility of an extension) starting from July 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Application procedure

To apply, please, respond to Mrs. Simona Motlová with the following documents: 

• cover letter,
• CV,
• list of publications.

In the subject line of your email, please, state that you are applying for a Postdoctoral research fellow position in Plasmonic Biosensors for Investigation of Cellular Processes.