Employer: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington

Website: http://depts.washington.edu/b...

Location: Seattle, WA 98195, USA

Type: Postdoctoral

Posted: July 29, 2011

Expires: September 26, 2011

Jobs by tag(s): microfluidics 20 poc diagnostics

Requisition number: MAD NAAT

job description

We (Professors Paul Yager, Elain Fu and Barry Lutz) are looking for FOUR ambitious postdoctoral researchers to join our team immediately. Successful candidates will work with us to develop a multiplexable autonomous disposable nucleic acid amplification test (MAD NAAT) for use in limited-resource settings. This DARPA-funded project is a collaborative effort between multiple partners in academia and industry. Phase I of this project will start in October, will last 18 months, and will demonstrate the core elements of the MAD NAAT.

We are seeking candidates who are ambitious and desire a stimulating and highly-productive postdoctoral experience.

For all positions, we are seeking candidates with doctoral degrees who can demonstrate the following attributes through their CV, letters of recommendation, and an interview:

• Ability to design high-quality experiments and draw appropriate conclusions
• Ability to self-direct and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with colleagues
• Ability to produce publishable results and to write strong papers
• Drive and motivation to produce high output for 18 months

Position #1: Nucleic acid amplification in porous materials. This person must bring significant expertise and practical experience in nucleic acid testing. This person will be the primary contact between the UW BioE group and our external collaborators (who also have expertise in nucleic acid tests). Balance: 80% nucleic acid assay, 20% fluidics.

• Required: significant experience with conventional nucleic acid analysis methods and instrumentation (e.g., benchtop NA instruments, electrophoresis, staining)
• Required: significant experience in adapting and troubleshooting nucleic acid amplification assays in microfluidic systems or other non-standard formats.
• Desired: expertise in surface chemistry for biotechnology (e.g., surface passivation, surface analysis tools)
• Desired: experience with microfluidics

Position #2: Bacterial lysis and nucleic acid cleanup. This person must bring significant expertise and practical experience in nucleic acid testing. This person will be the primary contact between the UW BioE group and our UW clinical collaborator (who will supply pathogen), and this person will work closely with colleagues who will test for interfering substances in the amplification assays.

• Required: experience with lysis and sample preparation for nucleic acid amplification
• Required: ability to use conventional nucleic acid analysis methods and instrumentation (e.g., benchtop NA instruments, electrophoresis, staining)
• Required: experience handling/testing complex samples (e.g., blood, nasal swabs)
• Desired: experience in surface chemistry for biotechnology applications
• Desired: experience with microfluidics

Position #3: Fluid designs for controlled reagent rehydration. This person must offer a solid engineering or physical sciences background, preferably with a focus on fluid flow and chemical transport and experience working with biochemical assays. This person will interact mostly with the UW BioE team.

• Required: solid engineering or physical sciences background and experience in microfluidic systems
• Required: foundation in fluid flow and chemical transport
• Desired: experience with biochemical assays (e.g. proteins, DNA/RNA)
• Desired: experience with reagent drying and/or rehydration

Position #4: Fluid control methods in porous materials. This person must offer a solid engineering or physical sciences background, and a strong foundation in fluid flow and chemical transport. This person will interact mostly with the UW BioE team.

• Required: solid engineering or physical sciences background and experience in microfluidic systems
• Required: foundation in fluid flow and chemical transport
• Desired: experience with surface chemistry and materials (e.g. hydrogels)

Please send your CV, list of three references and a cover letter (describing how your experience makes you qualified for a position described above, and how working with us would fit into your career plans) to the Yager group program manager, Chelsea Musick (cmusick@uw.edu). CVs will be reviewed in the order received and until all positions are filled.

来源：科学时报