Introduction
The University of Lausanne is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 15.000 students and nearly 5.000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. Ideally situated along the Leman lake, near Lausanne's city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.
Presentation
We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the Environmental Fluid Mechanics laboratory,
led by Professor Pietro de Anna, in the Institute of Earth Science (University of Lausanne, Switzerland).
This post is part of the Future and Emerging Technology Grant project (no. 828890) entitled: NAtuRal instability
of semi-Conductors thIn SOlid films for sensing and photonic applications (NARCISO), and is for a term of 1
year, renewable. 100 % of the research dedicated to the NARCISO Project.
Job Information
Expected start date in position : 01.03.2019
Contract length : 1 year, renewable
Employment rate : 100 %
Workplace : ISTE- GEOPOLIS - LAUSANNE DORIGNY
Your responsibilities
The successful candidate will develop novel microfluidics devices (made of different materials) to investigate
filtration of transported colloids through confined micro-structures. The physical (topology of the structures)
and chemical (choice and treatment of the material) properties will be tuned independently. Using pumps,
pressure controllers and time-lapse video-microscopy, flow experiments through these heterogeneous structures
will be performed to investigate how transported colloids are retained by the solid walls of the microstructure.
Similar experiments will be planned to investigate the microbial retention and biofilm growth in
these confined micro-structures. The collected images will be processed and analyzed with in-house software
(partially to be developed by the candidate).
Your qualifications
Doctoral degree (or be near completion) in Physics or Mechanical Engineering or Civil & Environmental
Engineering or related discipline. A background on optical microscopy, image processing and microfluidics
(use and fabrication) ideally in relation to fluid mechanics. Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Working knowledge of French is not necessary. Interest in developing microfluidics devices and optical
investigation techniques to investigate flow driven processes in confined media (e.g. colloids/microbes filtration,
biofilm growth, solutes transport and mixing). Commitment to research based on experimental and
modeling approaches.
What the position offers you
The Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory is a new facility, located at the institute of Earth Sciences at
the University of Lausanne, equipped with state-of-the-art technology including fully automated microscopes
(fluorescence and confocal microscopy), dedicated clean room for micro-fabrication, Z-sizer for colloids suspensions
characterization and a microbiology laboratory. The University of Lausanne is sharing the campus
with EPFL, making the local environment very dynamical and stimulating. More information about the Environmental
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory can be found at www.pietrodeanna.org
Your application
Application documents :
• Motivation letter (describing how your research interests, past experience, and future plans fit with the
advertised position);
• Curriculum vitae;
• Contact information for two professional references.
The application documents must be submitted as a single PDF file via email to Prof. Pietro de Anna
(pietro.deanna@unil.ch). Candidatures will be considered as soon as they will be received. Any questions
can be directed to Prof. Pietro de Anna.