PhD position in Electrochemical nanofluidics

Job description
The group Nanoionics at the University of Twente is a recently founded, internationally oriented group conducting fundamental research on electrostatics and electron transfer in liquid, and simultaneously exploring new concepts for fluidic technologies based on this new understanding. This multidisciplinary research combines elements of soft matter physics, biophysics, electrochemistry and nanoscience. We are part of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and make extensive use of the latter’s world-class cleanroom facilities.

We have developed fluidic nanodevices that count among the most sensitive electrochemical sensors ever built to date. Because of the minute detection volumes involved, statistical fluctuations in the number of molecules play an unexpectedly important role in the response of these sensors. For example, fluctuations place a fundamental limit on the signal-to-noise ratio, but they can also be exploited to measure record-low flow rates of picoliters per minute (in other words, droplets per year!). We have pushed this approach to its ultimate limit, namely, the detection of single molecules in nanofluidic devices. For single-molecule analysis, however, statistical fluctuations need to be suppressed. In this project, we will implement a mechanism for reversibly sealing the detection chamber so as to enable extended measurements on single molecules without interference from Brownian fluctuations.

Requirements
We seek students with a solid background in physics. Applicants from other disciplines such as chemistry and electrical engineering and with a strong affinity for physics are also welcome. While our main focus is on experiments, interests and aptitudes in theory are also desirable. We aim at research at the highest international level, and candidates who fit into this environment are invited to apply. Applications should include a cover letter, CV, university transcripts and contact information for 3 or more references.

For more information, please contact Prof. Serge Lemay, s.g.lemay@utwente.nl, or see our website, www.utwente.nl/tnw/ni/

Conditions of employment
As a PhD candidate you will be appointed in a full-time position (38 hours/week) for a period of maximum four years and at the end you should have completed your PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2042 in the first year to € 2612 in the final year (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition, the University of Twente offers attractive employment conditions. Depending on interests and aptitudes, it is also possible to join one of the educational programs of the Twente Graduate School.

Organisation
The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and more than 1100 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes IMPACT, MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.
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