Postdoc Position in DNA Nanotechnology

The Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, iNANO at Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a postdoctoral position (2 years) in the group of Prof. Kurt V. Gothelf. The position is starting as soon as possible.

Position Description:
The position is funded by an Interdisciplinary Synergy Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation for the project BioNWire. The project aims to self-assemble a bio-nano-wire device on a microelectronic chip for single-molecule biosensing and conductance analysis and is a collaboration between research groups at Harvard University, The Danish Technical University (DTU), and Aarhus University.

Job Description:
We are looking for a motivated, creative, and flexible candidate interested in conducting research within the interdisciplinary fields of DNA Nanotechnology.
The candidate should have a PhD degree within the broad field of (bio)chemical sciences and have experimental experience in DNA nanotechnology.

The focus of the project is on the functionalization of nanowires with DNA and their subsequent immobilization within DNA nanostructures. These structures will undergo characterization through Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

The project will entail the placement of various DNA-functionalized nanomaterials within the gaps between two nanowires on a surface. Consequently, expertise in bioconjugation is highly desirable, as the project includes bioconjugation of DNA with various proteins, molecules, and nanoparticles. In collaboration with other researchers, the immobilized structures will be integrated onto patterned microelectronic surfaces to monitor conductivity between the nanowires.

The long-term goal is to refine these designs for single-molecule sensing applications. The project includes collaboration with Professor William Shih's group at Harvard University and the Solid-State Physics group led by Professor Peter Bøggild at DTU.

Effective communication skills are essential, as the successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with and co-supervise other students.

The Gothelf Lab:
The lab, headed by Professor Kurt Gothelf, combines DNA Nanotechnology with organic chemistry and specializes in structural DNA nanotechnology, bioconjugation, nucleic acid chemistry and therapeutics, and biosensors.

The group currently consists of 4 postdocs, 5 PhD students, 5 master students, more younger students, and 1 technician. The laboratories, located at iNANO, are modern and very well equipped with AFM, DNA synthesizers, MS-TOF, UV-Vis, Nanodrop, several HPLCs, fluorimeter, and more.

We have access to NMR, TEM, and Cryo-EM. The lab collaborates closely with molecular biologists at iNANO. The group is international, with a majority of Danish students and the common language at all meetings is English. It is an important value for the Gothelf Lab to have a friendly and, mentally as well as physically, safe working environment for all members of the group.

Place of work:
The place of work is the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
The iNANO center involves research groups at several departments at Aarhus University and iNANO has one of the largest collections of instruments for nanocharacterization in Northern Europe.

Contact information:
For further information, please contact Professor Kurt Vesterager Gothelf: +45 60 20 27 25 or [email protected]

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.
Formalities and salary range
Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Interdisciplinær Nanotek., Cent.f./Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Cent.

Deadline: 12 May 2024

Location: Aarhus C Gustav Wieds Vej 14