Integration of ultrasonic cell manipulation with optical technologies

Mechanical Engineering

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £30,942 to £31,866 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term 20/11//2021
Closing Date:  Friday 16 April 2021
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1355921DA

The School of Engineering is renowned for its cutting-edge fundamental and applied research.  You will join a multidisciplinary group that is known world-wide for its work in acoustic particle manipulation, and its applications to bio-detection and tissue engineering.  The post is part of a project that aims to create new advances and applications in this field, and you will be part of a team of other postdoctoral researchers and PhD students.  Our existing research can be seen here: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/about/staff/pgj1a06.page#research.

This is a full time post that is currently funded until November 2021.

We aim to create a new tool for probing the mechanical properties of human cells.  You will work on a project to integrate a novel cell imaging technique (dye exclusion microscopy) with our acoustic technology for applying forces to suspended cells. The technology will have applications in developing new drug libraries and understanding and diagnosing diseases.  Industrial partners have expressed interest in the project, and we anticipate working with them to create useful systems.

While experience of ultrasonic manipulation would be ideal, we have sufficient experience to guide design in this area, and the main qualities we seek in an applicant are the research vision and breadth of expertise to engage with all aspects of this challenging multidisciplinary project: fluidic system design, acoustic modelling, working with cell lines and biological assays, the design of integrated detection systems, and working with researchers at the University Hospital Southampton to evaluate the approach experimentally using clinically relevant samples.

You will have a PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience, with knowledge of the key areas described above.  A practical background is essential, and experience of handling biological cells and biological assays would be an advantage.

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN bronze in 2013 and 2016.   We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy*, and onsite childcare facilities.

 The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.  This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this is through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

 *subject to qualifying criteria

 For informal enquiries, please contact Peter Glynne-Jones, email: P.Glynne-Jones@soton.ac.uk.

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. 

If you need any assistance, please call Hannah Farrance (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Please quote reference 1355921DA  on all correspondence.