Microfluidics Engineer for Microbial Systems : Amsterdam, Netherlands

In an ERC funded project, the Kiers group (Evolutionary Biology, VU University, Amsterdam) and the Shimizu group (Systems Biophysics,AMOLF, Amsterdam) are using in-vitro microfluidic systems to explore how cooperation evolves between microbes and their hosts

The outstanding question is whether hosts can influence how their symbiotic microbes navigate landscapes. The successful candidate will design and build composite PDMS microfluidic devices using soft lithography techniques to study the foraging behavior of symbiotic microbes. Employing lab-on-a-chip methodology, we will visually track microbial foraging strategies in nutrient mazes.

Cross-discipline collaboration
We offer a unique opportunity for a post-doc to contribute to cutting-edge research into the evolution of symbioses by working at the intersection of Evolutionary Biology and Biophysics. Housed primarily at theAMOLF systems biology lab with Dr. Shimizu, the successful candidate will develop a suit of tools to study microbial decision-making.

Candidates should have a strong background in experimental biophysics and/or quantitative biology and prior experience with microfluidics. We are looking for early-career scientists with an outstanding track record in Biophysics / Systems Biology, and a strong interest in Evolutionary Biology

Requirements

• Candidates should hold a Ph.D. and are expected to design/fabricate microfluidic systems and work with microbes
• Outstanding publication record
• Excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English