Sr Research Engineer with focus on Microfluidics

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

Permanent full-time position, starting as agreed upon. The position starts with a six-month probationary employment.

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 and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses, as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 230 active co-workers.

Read more about us here

About the division

The Division of Biomedical Engineering is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. We perform 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. 

The interdisciplinary research group EMBLA is led by Professor Maria Tenje. The group, which consists of about 15 people, conducts successful and internationally recognized research in organs-on-chip and droplet-based microfluidics in collaboration with research teams at several different Swedish and foreign universities. Research funding has been obtained through several prestigious grants, i.a. from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the European Research Council (ERC). Read more about the research group here. 

Project description

In addition to conducting internationally leading research, the research group is also responsible for the operation of a service facility supported by the national research infrastructures MyFab and SciLifeLab, helping researchers in the molecular life sciences with design, fabrication, and application of microfluidic systems for their research. To further develop the facility, called Customized Microfluidics, we are now seeking a skilled and results-oriented Senior Research Engineer motivated by supporting researchers in other fields with excellent technical service.

Further information about the service facility is available on the website: 

Duties

Your main duties are to be responsible for the operation of the Customized Microfluidics facility by structuring, organizing, and developing the work routines within the operation. This includes, among other things:

• Attracting and interacting with external users and developing microfluidic solutions based on their research needs.
• Together with the users, identifying suitable ways for Customized Microfluidics to support their research, either through the design and fabrication of new microfluidic devices or through training in microfluidics based on commercially available solutions.
• Providing design recommendations and creating CAD drawings of masks.
• Manufacturing microfluidic systems and verifying the functionality of the final systems.

Support regarding cleanroom fabrication can be obtained from MyFab’s technical staff.

The position also includes responsibility for:

• Preparing project budgets and timelines.
• Following up on project progress together with the users.
• Establishing inventories.
• Completing invoicing for finished projects in collaboration with the department’s financial administrators.

Some supervision of PhD students, master’s students, and project students may also be included. You are also expected to contribute to applications for research funding for collaborative projects between the facility and external partners.

Actively disseminate knowledge about the facility’s offerings, including by participating in user meetings within national research infrastructures, participating in scientific conferences and open-house events, communicating via the facility’s website and social media.

Qualification requirements

Doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, engineering physics, nanotechnology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science closely related field.

We also require:

• Documented knowledge and experience in the fabrication and use of microfluidic systems
• Experience in building experimental platforms for microfluidics as well as handling chip-to-world interfaces and control software for experimental equipment.
• Strong skills in CAD-based design tools

We require good oral and written skills in English.

Additional qualifications

It will be an advantage with experience in one or more of the following fields

• Work experience from industry in relevant fields
• Experience with IP processes and commercialization
• Budget and personnel responsibility
• Interest in new microfabrication technologies and staying up-to-date with research in the area

We place great emphasis on your personal qualities. You should be self-driven, solution-oriented, proactive, and have the ability to lead and manage projects, as well as collaborate and communicate effectively with people across different disciplines and levels. We believe you enjoy supporting your colleagues and take pride in providing excellent technical support. As the workload will vary over time, you need strong time management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects of different sizes simultaneously, while prioritizing and allocating your time effectively to meet the demands of the role.

Your application must include

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself and why you are suitable for this position (max 1 page)
• CV (max 1 page)
• Copy of Doctor’s degree, grades and other merits of relevance. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Name and contact information to at least two reference persons (e-mail address and phone no.). It should also be clear what relationship you have with these referees.

The application should be written in English.

We will during the application period read applications and call for interviews

About the employment

The position is a permanent position. A probation period of 6 months might be applied. Scope of employment: 100%. Starting date as soon as possible or by agreement. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact:

Professor Maria Tenje, (maria.tenje@angstrom.uu.se) or Dr. Patrick Sandoz (patrick.sandoz@scilifelab.se)

Please submit your application no later than January 30th, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3863

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