PhD position in Quantum Sensing of Yeast in Bioreactor Cultures

Posted on January 2, 2024

We are a young and very international and interdisciplinary team within the Department of Biomedical engineering (UMCG) from all over the world. Recently, we have received a grant by Schmidt futures. The aim of the project is to use intracellular quantum sensing to determine the health of a bio reactor.

Job description and the project

The aim of my team is to bring quantum sensing into the world of biomedical applications. In this project we will develop a diamond-based quantum sensing method to assess the health of a bioreactor culture. To achieve this goal we bring together an interdisciplinary team of biologists(you?), chemists and physicists. Using new quantum sensing tools which have been pioneered in our lab we will perform nanoscale measurements on single cells[ , ]. Using our new nanoscale MRI technique, we will direct our sensing particles to specific locations within cells. There we will measure the local metabolic activity, to assess the health of the bioreactor culture.

Working environment

The position will be in the department of Biomaterials and Biotechnology.

What do we need

We are looking for a PhD student with a background in biology

Useful skills

• Microscopy, culturing of yeast.
• Working with bioreactors.
• Assessing oxidative stress.
• You should also have an interest in working with an interdisciplinary team.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position. In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

What do we offer

We offer 1 fulltime research position within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, under the supervision of Prof. dr. Romana Schirhagl. We are looking for a PhD-candidate to strengthen our team.

The position is for four years. However, you will get a fulltime contract for 1 year, which will be extended for 3 years after evaluation. Extension of the contract will be based on sufficient progress and the expectation of a successful completion of the Ph.D. project. Your salary will be € 2.901 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 3.677 gross per month in the 4th year, based on a full-time appointment.

In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centers (CAO-UMC). The site of your research will be the Department of Biomedical Engineering with excellent guidance and facilities for scientific staff.The conditions of employment comply with the (CAO-UMC).