Job description

This post-doc position will be funded by an ERC Starting Grant – Nanothermometers for theranostics. It will be carried out in the NanoSensing group lead by Prof. Anna M. Kaczmarek. The NanoSensing group (https://nanosensing.ugent.be) is a research group at the Department of Chemistry of Ghent University, which focuses on studying the use of nano-sized inorganic and hybrid materials for nanothermometry and theranostics. It currently hosts 4 PhD students and 2 master students.
Temperature measurements in the field of biomedicine are extremely important as temperature plays an essential role in biological systems. Although it is possible to detect temperature employing robust and already commercially available techniques (e.g. infrared cameras), optical thermometry at the nanoscale allows studying phenomena otherwise inaccessible to so-called traditional thermometers. Theranostics is a recently emerging field, which integrates diagnostics with therapy. It is a very interesting concept to combine nanothermometry for diagnostics with therapy. However, the currently proposed nanothermometer materials leave little room to expand towards the topic of theranostics.
You will carry out research in the field of lanthanide nanothermometry based on hybrid nanomaterials operating in the physiological range. Your research work will involve materials synthesis, spectroscopy measurements at varying temperature and thermometry calculations, as well as model experiments concerning photodynamic therapy agents combined with nanothermometry.

We offer a 1 year post-doc contract starting December 1st 2023. The contract can be extended to 2 years after positive evaluation of the post-docs work.

Job profile

You hold a PhD degree in Sciences: chemistry, or a PhD degree in engineering sciences: materials science, or a PhD degree in engineering sciences: chemical technology or equivalent (the PhD degree must have been awarded before the date of appointment to the position)

For diplomas awarded outside the European Union, a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted. The degree requirements need to be fulfilled at the start of your appointment.

• You have excellent communication skills in English (oral and written).
• You have prior experience in lanthanide luminescence, luminescence thermometry, nanomaterials synthesis, and photodynamic therapy (please have expertise in at least 2 of these categories).
• You have experience in characterization techniques, such as powder XRD, XRF, UV-Vis, etc.
• Previous experience in electron microscopy (TEM) is highly searched for.
• You have proven to publish high-impact scientific publications in international peer-reviewed academic journals that are widely disseminated.
• You have contributed to communications or oral presentations at scientific meetings and congresses.
• You are able to guide master and PhD students as well as write/correct papers and conference contributions.
• You are willing to work at interdisciplinary boundaries, in close collaboration with the other project members.
• You are a team player with a strong sense of autonomy and responsibility.
• You have interest to conduct international top-research in the field of lanthanide-based hybrid nanomaterials for physiological thermometry and develop materials combining nanothermometry and photodynamic therapy

How to apply

Please submit the following documents to Prof. Anna Kaczmarek: Anna.Kaczmarek@UGent.be no later than October 15th 2023:

your detailed CV including information about academic achievements and study results (merged into one pdf file)

your application Motivation Letter describing why you should be considered for this position (in pdf format)

a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.

Name and contact details of three references who are willing to provide a letter of recommendation.

Several candidates will be shortlisted and invited for an online interview.

If you have further questions about the position please contact Anna.Kaczmarek@UGent.be.