Post-doctoral researcher in additive manufacturing for bioelectronics

This vacancy refers to a post-doctoral scholarship in the field of additive manufacturing for bioelectronics applications, including tissue engineering and wearable devices. The research topic combines interdisciplinary skills and understanding of multiple areas: 3D printing, biomaterials, biochemistry, electronics, electrophysiology, and stem cell biology.

Description of the organizational unit.

She/He will be working at the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory (AML) at campus De Nayer, KU Leuven (https://iiw.kuleuven.be/onderzoek/aml ). The group is part of the research unit MaPS (Manufacturing Processes and Systems) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the KU Leuven, and the Faculty of Engineering Technology at the KU Leuven. Its activities are typically application-driven or application-oriented, and can rely on: a strong network with the industrial and services sector; presence at 6 intensively cooperating campuses spread across Flanders; and close collaboration with other disciplines as well as with more fundamentally oriented research partners, leading to a continuous interaction between fundamental and applied research activities.
The AML group is led by Professor Eleonora Ferraris ((eleonora.ferraris@kuleuven.be - +3215316944 - https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/nl/person/00054243) and it has been established with the purpose of providing applied and basic research in the field of additive manufacturing with focus on extrusion and jet based technologies, including fused filament fabrication and aerosol jet printing for biomedical and engineering applications. Because of the fast growth and the intensification of the activities, support in the management, supervision and research activities is needed resulting in the present open position.
The promotor of the Post Doc will be Prof. Dr. ir. Eleonora Ferraris and the candidate will be offered with a post-doctoral position in Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology (https://iiw.kuleuven.be/english) of KU Leuven (http://www.kuleuven.be/kuleuven/).

Project outline

The candidate will support and further develop our research line in the field of bioelectronics, with focus on the use of aerosol jet-based printing for innovative devices, including lab-on-chip, 3D cell culturing and monitoring, in-vitro diagnostic, tissues on chip, 3D biological on-chip models on, wearable devices, etc.. @ AML, aerosol jet-based printing (AJP) is subject of extensive research. AJP is a novel direct-writing additive manufacturing technique which allows selective deposition of functional inks. AJP has been extensively used for 2D printed electronics, and AML is now extending its potential towards 3D printing and multimaterial/multifunctional applications. Projects and activities span from fundamental process analysis to ink development and application-driven case studies in a broad range of fields, such as printed electronics, tissue engineering and bioelectronics. Particularly, AML is pioneer in AJP of collagen and is mastering AJP of 3D micro-features in multiple materials (gold, silver, pedot:pss). Next to AJP, other types of 3D bioprinting technologies, including SLA, DLP and syringe extrusion printing are also present in the group. The group has national and international strategic cooperation in the field of tissue engineering, biomaterials, biology and clinical applications. At the moment, it is particular active in the area of neural tissue engineering. The new candidate is particularly expected to complete the group expertise with respect to electrical design, electrophysiology and biological essay; to support the group growing and consolidate the bioelectronics research area. The group regularly works with national, and international partners, from fundamental to applied research. The AJP facility of the group includes an Optomec AJ300s system and an IDS Nano-Jet system. Additional set-ups for proof of concepts and testing are also available.

Website unit

Responsibilities

The new profile is expected to perform research activities and to provide managerial support and supervision. Typical activities include:

• Supervision of PhDs student and project management together with the promoter and project leader
• Valorisation of results via scientific publication writing and conference participation
• Teaching support via seminar organisation and master-supervision
• Identification of new projects with industrial and research partners and project writing
• Collaboration on related research activities within other research groups
• Support in financial management and evaluation of possible investments together with the group leader and technician
• Construction and maintenance of public awareness actions (including web site, webinar, and network profiles) together with all the group members.
• Establishment of best practice for laboratory
• Activities, data management and research procedures in brainstorming with the whole group

Profile

• You hold (or about to) a PhD in bioengineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, material science, or a related domain
• You have expertise in bioelectronics and related materials technologies and applications, including lab-on-chip, wearable devices, cell monitoring, in vitro diagnostic, in vitro-modelling, etc..)
• You have expertise in electrophysiology and biological essay
• Your expertise in the field of additive manufacturing for tissue engineering and/or printed electronics is a plus
• Your expertise in biomaterials and biochemistry is a plus
• You have knowledge of English for professional use
• You are creative and a team worker
• You are curious, and application driven with interest in science
• You have management and supervision skills
• You have a track record of (high) impact factor journal publications
• You are ready to support project writing and to apply for research grants

Offer

We offer you a post-doc position of 2 or 3 years depending on your seniority and salary scale. We offer you a challenging opportunity in a highly valuable domain. We offer a highly valued academic environment and the opportunity to play a key role in a multi-cultural environment.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Eleonora Ferraris, tel.: +32 16 37 28 84, mail: eleonora.ferraris@kuleuven.be or Mrs. Miriam Seiti, mail: miriam.seiti@kuleuven.be

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