Application is now open for PhD position in Microbial Active Matter in the Physics of Living Matter Group, Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg. The Physics of Living Matter Group is a core member of the COMPLEX LIVING SYSTEMS initiative of Luxembourg.

Selection process:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in Luxembourg or interviewed by phone.  Position will be filled immediately, but will remain open until filled.

Please apply ONLINE under the following link: http://emea3.mrted.ly/2d6n2

• Réf : 50012390
• Initial 14 months fixed-term contract, renewable for up to 48 months (depending on thesis progress evaluation)
• Full time position (40hrs/week)
• Starting date : January 2020 or the earliest possible date
• Employee and student status

The PhD project is embedded within the PRIDE Doctoral Training Unit, MICROH (https://microh.uni.lu/) with ample collaborative opportunities with other members of the consortium.  The selected PhD candidate will conduct her/his research in the Physics of Living Matter Group headed by Prof. Anupam Sengupta (PHYMS-RU), with ample collaborative opportunities with the Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedicine and the Luxembourg Institute of Health. The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School in Science and Engineering at the University of Luxembourg. The PhD program includes training in transferable skills, support for career development, lectures and teaching by international experts and annual PhD symposia. An overview of the research activities in the Sengupta Lab is available here:

https://sites.google.com/site/anupamsengupta/life-luxembourg

During the PhD research, the candidate will develop experiments to understand how active processes mediate microbial behaviour and physiology, with specific focus on the role of physical gradients within mucus layers in regulating the molecular transport of gut-associated microbes. By combining microfluidics and microscale imaging, the candidate will analyze how transport processes determine and maintain a healthy microbiome-human interface.

We are seeking excellent and highly motivated candidates holding a Master’s degree in a field related to the topic of the program (MSc or equivalent in Natural Sciences or Engineering Sciences). Background in soft matter physics, fluid mechanics and experience/knowledge of quantitative imaging and analysis will be beneficial. Fluency in English is mandatory – English is the working language. Willingness to work in an inter-cultural and international environment, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team, are desired.

We offer:

• A dynamic and well-equipped research environment with competitive salaries

• Intensive training in scientific and transferable skills, participation in schools, conferences and workshops

• Three-year (fixed term) employee contract at UL, extensible to four years

• Enrolment as a PhD student in the Doctoral School of Science and Engineering at UL

Gender policy:

UL and LCSB strive to increase the share of female PhD students. Therefore, we explicitly encourage women to apply.

Application submission:

Before proceeding with the submission of your application, please prepare the following documents in English

• Curriculum vitae

• Motivation letter justifying your interest in the research project

• Publication list (if applicable)

• Coordinates of two persons willing to send a letter of recommendation

• Copies of diplomas, transcripts with grades, with English translation

All documents should be uploaded in pdf format. Please note that incomplete applications or applications without project priorities will not be considered.

Early submission is encouraged ; applications will be processed upon arrival. Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

For further information, please contact Prof. Anupam Sengupta (anupam.sengupta@uni.lu) or visit the research page for further information on the project and its scope.

About the University of Luxembourg:

The University of Luxembourg is a multilingual, international research University. Luxembourg is a dynamic, multicultural country in the heart of Europe with a strong research and development base supported by important financial and organisational resources. It offers state-of-the-art facilities and an excellent training environment for cross pollination of research ideas across faculties of engineering and natural sciences.

Within Luxembourg, innovative research in the area of biophysics is carried out at the University of Luxembourg’s Physics and Materials Science Research Unit (PHYMS-RU) and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB). Close synergies with the Life Sciences Research Unit (LS-RU), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), the Luxembourg National Health Laboratory (LNS), and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) make Luxembourg a thriving hub for cutting edge cross-disciplinary research in the physics of living systems.