Nanovip All things Nanotechnology – Nano Is The Futiure
- Employer: Wheeler Microfluidics Lab, University of Toronto
- Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
- Posted: Jan 03, 2011 Expires: Apr 03, 2011
- Description:
- Engineering postdoctoral position available for immediate hire
There is an opening for a postdoctoral researcher in the Wheeler Microfluidics Laboratory at the University of Toronto. The initial term is one year, with the possibility of extension subject to performance review and funding availability.
The project is aimed at the development of a novel proprietary microfluidic platform for cell-based assays. The platform relies on digital microfluidics, a lab-on-a-chip technology in which nanoliter-sized droplets are manipulated using electrical fields, enabling large, parallel-scale assays on mammalian cells in nanoliter volumes. The new method facilitates 100-1000-fold reduction in reagent and cell use, simplifies assay steps and is compatible with standard laboratory instruments and infrastructure. As such, the platform has potential to become a new tool for drug discovery by significantly reducing the cost and complexity of screening of drug candidates on mammalian cells, and thus increasing the efficiency of the drug discovery process.
The proposed R&D involves designing digital microfluidic devices in PCB substrates by researching and optimizing the device packaging and dielectric coatings. Optimized devices will be then tested with cell assay protocol while programmed using the custom made control box. Integration of the devices and the control system with robotics for high throughput screening will follow.
The applicant should have earned a Ph.D in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or system design engineering. Background in circuit and PCB design, packaging, MEMS, and/or dielectric coatings is desired. The applicants are also expected to be experienced in scientific programming, and microfabrication techniques. Applicants are expected to work in a team of engineers, chemists and biologists on the overall development (design, fabrication and testing) of the above-described microfluidic prototype for cell-based assays.
- To apply:
- Please send your CV and cover letter to:
Prof. Aaron Wheeler
Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories
University of Toronto
80 St. George Street, Rm. 630
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON M5S 3H