Joint PhD position in Nanomedicine and Biosensing

The Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI) at RWTH Aachen University (Germany) and the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (Singapore) invite applications of highly motivated individuals for:

Joint PhD position in Nanomedicine and Biosensing

The student will be registered as PhD student at RWTH Aachen University Clinic for 3.5 years, and the structure of the studies will be the following:

• 1st year: RWTH Aachen University (Germany).
• 2nd & 3rd years: Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (Singapore).
• First half of 4th year: RWTH Aachen University (Germany).

The PhD position will focus on developing gold nanoparticle-based microfluidic systems for detection of contrast agents in biological fluids by surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS). Despite their ubiquitous use in clinical settings, gadolinium-based contrast agents are not innocuous components, as suggested by several pathologies associated with their use, particularly in patients with compromised kidney function. The PhD candidate will address this issue by developing a technology capable of quantifying contrast agents in urine (and potentially serum), which will improve patient monitoring and safety after imaging procedures.

Please send your application with all documents including a curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, all academic certificates, and a list with 3 reference contacts to Dr. Roger Molto Pallares (rmoltopallar@ukaachen.de )

The position will be filled as soon as an appropriate candidate is found.

Conditions

During his/her time in Germany, the candidate will receive a salary according to German public service salary scale level TV-L 13 (50%). During his/her time in Singapore, the student will receive a stipend directly from the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR, Singapore) of 2,700 SGD / month. Furthermore, A*STAR will provide the student with one-off relocation allowance (1,000 SGD), one-off airfare grant (1,500 SGD), one conference allowance, and housing subsidy.

Host Institute Profiles:

RWTH Aachen is the largest technical university in Germany and 1 of 11 Universities of Excellence. The Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI) at RWTH Aachen University Clinic works on the development of contrast agents, imaging techniques and therapeutic approaches to characterise and treat cancer and inflammatory disorders. Scientists with a background in physics and engineering, informatics, chemistry, biology, pharmacology and medicine closely collaborate on projects dealing with disease diagnosis and targeted therapy. For details on our work and recent publications, applicants are referred to www.exmi.rwth-aachen.de .

The Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in September 1997, IMRE has built strong capabilities in the areas of polymeric & organic materials, composite & structural materials, advanced materials characterisation & fabrication, optics and electronics. IMRE is an institute of talented researchers equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to conduct world-class materials science research to improve lives and capture economic value for Singapore.