Postdoctoral position in biomedical microsystems Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Position in Biomedical Microsystems

Uppsala University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University

Full-time temporary position for two years starting as soon as possible or as agreed upon

Join us! The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering, bachelor's and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within six divisions with different research focuses, a state-of-the-art cleanroom laboratory, as well as a division that provides support and administration. The department is an international place to work and has around 200 co-workers.

About the division The Division of Biomedical Engineering is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. We conduct research within the development and evaluation of new materials in interaction with biological systems to understand the underlying principles. For us, it is equally important to study the impact of materials on biological processes as well as the impact of biological processes on materials. Our ambition is to foster a dynamic teaching and research environment that is internationally recognised for its excellence in connecting basic research with clinical applications.

This position will be placed at the Division of Biomedical Engineering in the interdisciplinary research group EMBLA led by Prof. Maria Tenje. The research group conducts successful and internationally recognized research in organ-on-chip systems and droplet-based microfluidics and conducts research in collaboration with research teams at several Swedish and international universities. The research is supported by funding from prestigious sources, including the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), and the European Research Council (ERC).

This project is in collaboration with the Michno lab at the Rudbeck Laboratory and Lars Behrendt at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), to further develop our technology toward medical applications and evaluate its commercial potential. We are therefore seeking a results-oriented and technically skilled postdoc who is driven by translating scientific discoveries to practical applications in an interdisciplinary research collaboration.

Project description Three-dimensional cell cultures, such as spheroids and organoids, are transforming biomedical research by closely mimicking native tissue architecture and function. A special research focus of our group is to develop microfluidic systems to handle and study 3D constructs as they grow and mature.

In a collaborative project, our group has developed a microfluidic system for continuous monitoring of oxygen consumption in individual cells exposed to different chemical stimuli.

We believe that this method could also be highly applicable to 3D cultures, for example for quality control during their growth or for applications within the pharmaceutical industry. The goal of this project is to evaluate feasibility of upscaling our existing technology platform for use with larger 3D cultures. Additionally, we want to evaluate the performance of the method for biomedical applications with the ambition to form a spin-out company with our collaborators for further translation of the technology.

Duties The tasks within this interdisciplinary project include conducting high-quality research in all stages of the project, from the design and fabrication of the microfluidic system to the evaluation and publication of the scientific results.

You are expected to be responsible for the fabrication, characterisation, and optimisation of the Spher-O2-Chip technology, assemble a prototype of a portable system, and evaluate its potential for measuring oxygen levels of 3D constructs. Specifically, you shall identify and develop a suitable fabrication process in plastic and evaluate gas permeability of the material.

You will also be expected to apply the system to study how the growth and differentiation of cells is affected by external changes in culture conditions for spheroid and organoid models of liver and brain.

In addition to research, some participation in supervision of doctoral students, master's and project students as well as communication of research results through scientific articles in well-established scientific journals and presentations at international conferences are also included as important aspects of the employment. Some involvement in undergraduate teaching may also be included. You are also expected to contribute to applications for external research funding.

Requirements To qualify for a postdoctoral position, you must have a doctoral degree or a foreign degree considered equivalent to a PhD degree. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment.

Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier and be due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labor unions, etc.

This position requires a Doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, engineering physics, nanotechnology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science or an equivalent degree in a related field.

We require documented knowledge and experience in:

• Fabrication and use of microfluidic systems with particular expertise in UV lithography, etching of both silicon and glass and casting and bonding of PDMS
• Rapid prototyping tools such as micromilling, laser ablation techniques and polymer additive manufacturing methods
• Building experimental platforms for microfluidic systems
• Chip-to-world interfaces and software controlling experimental equipment, through e.g. LabVIEW or MATLAB, are requirements

We require very good oral and written skills in English, as well as very good skills in writing scientific publications.

Additional qualifications Documented knowledge and experience in the following areas is considered meritorious for this position:

• Microscopy and optics
• Culture and characterisation of mammalian cells, specifically iPSCs
• Analytical techniques such as DNA/RNA isolation and analyses with qPCR, digital PCR, protein assessments with Western blot, ELISA and immunolabelling (IHC, IF, ICC)
• IP and/or commercialisation of research

We attach great importance to your personal qualities, and you must be self-motivated and proactive, have the ability to independently plan and run projects as well as possess excellent analytical ability and skill with practical handling of experimental equipment. You must also have good teaching skills, structured and able to work effectively both individually and in groups, as well as be able to collaborate and communicate with people in different subject areas easily.

Special emphasis will be placed on your ability to publish scientific works in high-quality journals and to give presentations at scientific meetings.

Your application must include:

• A letter describing yourself, your goals and why you are a suitable candidate for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• List of publications
• Copy of three publications of special relevance
• Copy of the PhD, master's degree (or equivalent) and course grades and other merits
• Short description (max 300 words) of your doctoral thesis
• If available, an electronic version of your doctoral thesis (or weblink).
• Names and contact information (e-mail and telephone) to two reference people who have agreed to act as referee for you. Please also describe the relationship to each referee

The application can preferably be written in English. During the application period, we will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

About the employment The position is a fixed-term employment for two years in accordance with the central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date February 1st 2027, or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For more information about salary ranges and how Uppsala University determines salaries, as well as other working conditions, please read more here.

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Maria Tenje, maria.tenje@angstrom.uu.se or Docent Wojciech Michno, wojciech.michno@scilifelab.uu.se

Please submit your application by January 7, 2027, UFV-PA 2026/3402