PhD on Metasurfaces for single-molecule biosensing

Job Description

The Molecular Plasmonics group together with the Surface Photonics group at the Eindhoven University of Technology have two PhD positions in the field of metasurfaces for single-molecule biosensing. This collaborative project aims to develop a new generation of single-molecule sensors that exploit collective and localized resonances in metasurfaces to boost the temporal resolution of single-molecule fluorescence sensors.

Introduction

Current workhorse techniques to detect and study single biomolecules rely on fluorescence microscopy. Due to the limited brightness of fluorescent dyes, these platforms only give access to biomolecular processes (e.g. interaction kinetics) on long timescales, from milliseconds to minutes. Recent advances in Zijlstra’s group used metallic nanoparticles to enhance the fluorescence intensity. This approach has given access for the first time into previously inaccessible microsecond dynamics (link). However, real applications are still far away because the associated heating of the laser-excited nanoparticles affects the biomolecule and its dynamics.

About this position

In this position you will leverage novel dielectric and plasmonic metasurface designs for single-molecule fluorescence sensing. The metasurfaces will be designed and fabricated by another PhD student on the project. You will experimentally quantify the fluorescence enhancement mechanisms using single-molecule spectroscopy and super-resolution microscopy. Subsequently, you will exploit the fluorescence enhancing metasurface for fast single-molecule fluorescence sensing of protein interactions.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Zijlstra (Molecular Plasmonics group) and co-supervised by Prof. Gomez Rivas (Surface Photonics group). You will closely collaborate with the other PhD student employed on the project, who will design and fabricate the metasurfaces.

About the groups

Both groups are part of the department of Applied Physics and Science Education. The surface photonics group investigates light-matter interaction in a broad range of frequencies, from the visible to the THz. This interaction is enhanced by resonant structures, such as metallic or dielectric nanoparticles and metasurfaces. The group is part of the research cluster "Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics".

The molecular plasmonics group develops plasmonic and nanophotonic biosensors with single-molecule sensitivity. The nanoscale field confinement in resonant (e.g. plasmonic) nanoparticles is exploited to detect and study single molecules in real-time. The team is multidisciplinary and hosts physicists, chemists, and biomedical engineers that collaborate in a close-knit team. The lab hosts a range of state-of-the-art single-molecule microscopes in optical laboratories, as well as wet-chemical labs for sample preparation. The group is part of a bigger research cluster focusing on optical sensing.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in physics or a related field. Experience in single-molecule microscopy and/or plasmonic biosensing is an advantage.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Peter Zijlstra, p.zijlstra@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.flux@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• A copy or link to your MSc thesis.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.