POST-DOC POSITION: MICROFLUIDICS IN CELLULOSE BASED CHANNELS

Microfluidic chips are practical devices for the analysis of small volumes of liquids. They are usually made of silicone or plastics, oil-based products. The aim of this post-doc position is to develop the next generation of microfluidic chips made of cellulose microfibrils, a bio-based material that is very dense and quasi impermeable to liquids. Contrary to traditional paper microfluidic chips that work by capillary imbibition on selected lanes, the strategy chosen will be to manufacture devices with open channels to conduct fluids within cellulose, like in plants. Together with a team of physicists and a team of experts in paper manufacturing, you will design, fabricate and test those devices. An artificial bio-mimetic leaf will be designed to test evapo-transpiration through cellulose.

Challenges

• Manufacture and assemble layers of cellulose to build the devices
• Optimisation of the process
• Study the permeability of the embedded channels to liquids and gases: water vapour and air
• Create an artificial bio-mimetic leaf reproducing evapo-transpiration
• Publish in peer-review high-impact factor journals and present at conference

Profile

• PhD in microfluidics, material sciences, paper making, polymer sciences, chemical engineering, physics
• Experimentalist
• Ability for handcrafting original set-ups
• Curiosity and creativity, in an interdisciplinary environment gathering physicist and experts in cellulose production

Position

The post-doctoral position will be in Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique, and the Centre Technique du Papier, both located on the attractive University of Grenoble Alpes campus. The selected candidates will be offered a 1-year full-time position starting on May 2020.

Application

We are looking forward to receiving your online application including a letter of motivation, CV, diplomas with transcripts and contact details of two referees.