Immune cells in the human body navigate in a soft microstructured 3D environment that has so far been difficult to mimic outside the body. In this project, you will overcome this technological barrier to efficient cell immunotherapy by using state-of-the-art multiphoton photopolymerization to microstructure hydrogel scaffolds in 3D.
Proper navigation of immune cells in the human body is essential for a range of new medical treatments termed immunotherapy. Present understanding of immune cell navigation in the soft 3D microenvironment of human tissue is limited due to lack of accurate tissue models. The goal of this project is to produce advanced technology and methods for evaluating immune cell navigation to improve clinical outcomes in immunotherapy. The project is part of a recently started research program on Microshaping hydrogels and their chemistry in 3D for optimizing and validating immune cell migration” in collaboration with clinicians at Herlev Hospital.
You will make use of the newest developments in multi-photon photopolymerization (www.nanoscribe.de)to reproduce the 3D microscopic structure of human soft tissue in water-containing polymeric hydrogels. The structured hydrogels will be used as scaffolds for immune cell migration analysis, after being chemically surface modified to present concentration gradients of the signaling biomolecules that guide immune cells in the body.
You will work on design, fabrication, and characterization of 3D hydrogels with incorporated signaling molecules. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with colleagues having strong cell biological backgrounds, who will assist in the cell-based assays to evaluate the functionality of the hydrogels. Prior experience in cell biology is not a requirement. You will also be responsible for producing simpler microstructured hydrogels by conventional casting against microstructured dies. Thus, the work tasks will also include conventional clean room work to produce the required die structures by photolithography.
The position will be part of the Polymer Microtechnology for Cell Processing group at DTU Nanotech headed by Professor Niels B. Larsen. We are a group of young enthusiastic individuals focusing on generation of highly controlled microenvironments for culture, manipulation and analysis of sensitive human cells. The state-of-the-art polymer microfabrication activities are complemented by cell and molecular biology competences as well as general skills within automated time-lapse microscopy analysis of cell behavior. The multidisciplinary nature of the group, including people with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, biochemistry, and cell biology, is ideal for the cross-disciplinary activities of this project.
QualificationsCandidates should preferably have a master's degree in chemistry, microtechnology, or engineering sciences, or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The PhD scholarship is subject to academic approval and the candidate will be enrol led in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Salary and appoint ment terms The salary and appoint ment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD students at DTU. The position is available for a period of 3 years.
Application
We must have your online application by May 31, 2010. Please open the link "apply for this job online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and information about academic grades;
a) Curriculum vitae of the applicant including a list of publications (guidelines)
b) A letter motivating the application (guidelines)
c) Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
d) Conversion of grade averages to Danish grades (guidelines and excel spreadsheet for the conversion)
Interviews will be held in the period from the 7th to the 9th of June 2010.
Candidates may apply prior to ob tai ning their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
DTU needs diver sity and supports equal opportunities irrespective of gender, age, and ethnic background.
Additional information Further information may be obtained from Professor Niels B. Larsen, tel.: +45 4677 4721, e-mail: niels.b.larsen@nanotech.dtu.dk
Proper navigation of immune cells in the human body is essential for a range of new medical treatments termed immunotherapy. Present understanding of immune cell navigation in the soft 3D microenvironment of human tissue is limited due to lack of accurate tissue models. The goal of this project is to produce advanced technology and methods for evaluating immune cell navigation to improve clinical outcomes in immunotherapy. The project is part of a recently started research program on Microshaping hydrogels and their chemistry in 3D for optimizing and validating immune cell migration” in collaboration with clinicians at Herlev Hospital.
You will make use of the newest developments in multi-photon photopolymerization (www.nanoscribe.de)to reproduce the 3D microscopic structure of human soft tissue in water-containing polymeric hydrogels. The structured hydrogels will be used as scaffolds for immune cell migration analysis, after being chemically surface modified to present concentration gradients of the signaling biomolecules that guide immune cells in the body.
You will work on design, fabrication, and characterization of 3D hydrogels with incorporated signaling molecules. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with colleagues having strong cell biological backgrounds, who will assist in the cell-based assays to evaluate the functionality of the hydrogels. Prior experience in cell biology is not a requirement. You will also be responsible for producing simpler microstructured hydrogels by conventional casting against microstructured dies. Thus, the work tasks will also include conventional clean room work to produce the required die structures by photolithography.
The position will be part of the Polymer Microtechnology for Cell Processing group at DTU Nanotech headed by Professor Niels B. Larsen. We are a group of young enthusiastic individuals focusing on generation of highly controlled microenvironments for culture, manipulation and analysis of sensitive human cells. The state-of-the-art polymer microfabrication activities are complemented by cell and molecular biology competences as well as general skills within automated time-lapse microscopy analysis of cell behavior. The multidisciplinary nature of the group, including people with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, biochemistry, and cell biology, is ideal for the cross-disciplinary activities of this project.
QualificationsCandidates should preferably have a master's degree in chemistry, microtechnology, or engineering sciences, or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The PhD scholarship is subject to academic approval and the candidate will be enrol led in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Salary and appoint ment terms The salary and appoint ment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD students at DTU. The position is available for a period of 3 years.
Application
We must have your online application by May 31, 2010. Please open the link "apply for this job online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and information about academic grades;
a) Curriculum vitae of the applicant including a list of publications (guidelines)
b) A letter motivating the application (guidelines)
c) Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
d) Conversion of grade averages to Danish grades (guidelines and excel spreadsheet for the conversion)
Interviews will be held in the period from the 7th to the 9th of June 2010.
Candidates may apply prior to ob tai ning their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
DTU needs diver sity and supports equal opportunities irrespective of gender, age, and ethnic background.
Additional information Further information may be obtained from Professor Niels B. Larsen, tel.: +45 4677 4721, e-mail: niels.b.larsen@nanotech.dtu.dk
Tentative Application Deadline : 31 May 2010
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