PhD student position -Interfacial Imaging of Membrane Water

Mission

We are offering a challenging position as a full-time (100%) PhD Student at School of Engineering - STI at EPFL. At the Laboratory for fundamental BioPhotonics - LBP we are developing nonlinear imaging techniques to study, characterize and image water in different configuration.

Introduction

Water is the liquid of life. It is intimately linked to our well-being. Without water, cell membranes cannot function. Charges and charged groups cannot be dissolved, self-assembly cannot occur, and proteins cannot fold. That water is intimately linked with life, we experience time and again when we quench our thirst, but how does this link work?

Osmosis is the flow of water across a (cell) membrane that separates two aqueous solutions with different concentrations of a solutes. Regulating osmotic pressure is a key survival strategy of cells and plays an important role in the functioning of every organism. How osmotic pressure and cell membrane tension are regulated on the molecular level is not known. It is the aim of the ERC Synergy Grant R2-Tension, a collaboration between EPFL (Prof. S. Roke) and the University of Geneva (Prof. A. Roux) to work this out. To do so, we will develop new technology and perform experiments in vitro and vivo.

The Project at EPFL – focused on technology development & in vitro studies

Nonlinear optical imaging and new ultrafast spectroscopic techniques have recently been developed in the Roke lab and used to image in real time interfacial water and electrostatic potentials on membrane interfaces of model membranes and in living cells.

We will use second harmonic water imaging to (1) image interfacial water in real time as well as the electrostatic field lines on lipid membrane interface model systems, and (2) image in real time membrane fusion and osmosis. The imaging data will be used to link molecular level information to electrostatics and mechanics of membranes.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:

• Have full responsibility for your own dissertation
• Research in close collaboration with industry partners
• Experiment design and execution
• Analyze and interpret experimental results
• Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Present at international conferences
• Participate in education and supervise student project
  

This research has many interdisciplinary aspects that demand a highly motivated candidate with strong analytical abilities that is able to think out of the box. The diverse aspects of the project allow a wide range of backgrounds that should include photonics, physics, chemistry/material science, electrical or bioengineering. Experience in nonlinear optics / microscopy, or ultrafast spectroscopy is a bonus. We offer excellent working conditions and a state-of-the-art infrastructure in a highly dynamic and international environment at the forefront of research. 

Profile

• A MSc degree 
• Good communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team
• Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, eager to learn, good organizational skills, rigor in experimental work
• High level of motivation for academic research work
• Fluency in English is essential, French / German / Italian would be an asset

We offer

• 4 years to complete your PhD with a competitive remuneration
• An opportunity to develop a scientific career 
• A world-class research and training environment with access to state-of-the-art research facilities
• A multi-cultural and stimulating work environment
• A 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, photonics, materials science, or electrical engineering.
Please check this page for additional information on admission.

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

Only applications submitted through the platform will be considered.

Your application should contain:

• A motivation Letter
• Your detailed CV
• Contact information
• Transcripts of diplomas
• The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letter

 Contract Start Date: to be confirmed

Activity Rate: 100.00

Contract Type: PhD Student

Duration:

Reference: 2130