PhD Scholarship Opportunities for the Design & Manufacture of Next-Generation Centrifugal Microfluidic “Lab-on-a-Disc” Systems

Fraunhofer Project Centre for Embedded Bioanalytical Systems at DCU:
Full-time PhD scholarship opportunities

The Fraunhofer Project Centre (FPC) for Embedded Bioanalytical Systems at Dublin City University (FPC@DCU) – a joint initiative by Science Foundation Ireland and the German Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – develops microfluidics-based solutions for decentralised bioanalytical testing in areas like in-vitro (“Point-of-Care”) diagnostics, life-science tools, biopharma, agrifood, environmental and industrial mo­ni­toring. The research and technology development (RTD) of the FPC@DCU therefore operates at the very promising but also challenging crossroads of microsystems engineering and the life sciences. In its present start-up phase, the FPC@DCU focuses on high-level process integration and automation of centrifugal microfluidic “Lab-on-a-Disc” systems for “point-of-use” testing of biosamples such as body fluids, food, drink, bioprocess samples and water.

Your mission:

The FPC@DCU is looking forwill recruit a cohort of  highly ambitious students with strong scientific and engineering competences for the research and technology development of microfluidics-based solutions for decentralised bioanalytical testing. The successful applicants will meet DCU’s minimum entrance requirements for registration as full-time PhD students (including English language proficiency requirements where necessary) and will study for a PhD in one of the research areas:

·         Development of microfluidics-based sample-to-answer devices for decentralised bioanalytical testing in medicine and the life sciences

·         Optimisation of rotationally actuated flow control elements, e.g. valves and routers, and Laboratory Unit Operations (LUOs), e.g. for plasma extraction, metering and mixing, towards given performance along design-for-manufacture guidelines

·         Modelling and Ssimulation of centrifugal hydrodynamics by commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, e.g. OpenFOAM or COMSOL, and more accessible lumped-element level methods similar tolike the well-established design software SPICE for electronic circuitry

·         Development of custom-tailored materials, manufacturing and assembly processes for multi-component Lab-on-a-Chip systems

·         Development of complementary detection / transduction and biorecognition / bioassay technologies as well as bioanalytical applications

In this role the Principal Supervisor will be FPC Director of FPC@DCU, Prof. Jens Ducrée. More information can be found on www.dcu.ie/microfluidics. and www.dcu.ie/fpc (to be launched soon).

Your profile:

You already have, or can convincingly demonstrate your willingness and capability to swiftly acquire a deep knowledge in a relevant subset of research fields and technologies enabling decentralised sample-to-answer testing of bio­samples on compact microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip systems; for instance, in their experimental design and testing, hydrodynamic modelling and simulation, materials processing, bioanalytical methods and detection technologies. You have a first class honours B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree (or equi­valent) in a topic of high relevance to the FPC@DCU and can convincingly demonstrate your capability to develop a portfolio of compelling scientific, technological and publication / communication skills.

We offer:

Exciting 4-year Ph.D. scholarship opportunities in a very innovative, applied research initiative embedded in Dublin City University – Ireland’s University of Enterprise. The technology-led FPC@DCU engi­neers next-generation life-science technologies for the benefit of people and societies. In this your role, you will have access to competent technical, infrastructural and administrative support, and the oppor­tunity to evolve a multi-facetted skillset in an environment where you closely collaborate with world-class Irish and international companies and research organisations.

Minimum stipend: €16,000 p.a. for 4 years plus full tuition fees for 4 years. The award is subject to meeting the terms and conditions of the funder and subject to the student’s satisfactory annual progression in DCU.

Application process

To apply, please submit a CV together with a supporting document (max. 1 page) outlining your reason for applying, skill set and relevant background, in one soft copy (PDF format) document to jens.ducree@dcu.ie (Queries on the scholarships can also be emailed to Prof. Ducrée).

Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 28th 15th April September 2017, or when the position is filled. The prospective start of the postgraduate position would be in the in summer 2017as soon as possible.