Research Associate in Photonic Biosensing

Role Description

Department

The School of Physics, Engineering and Technology brings physicists and engineers together to push the frontiers of knowledge, foster innovation and meet the grand challenges facing society. Our aim is to deliver world-leading research in both fundamental and applied areas whilst developing new technologies that work for the public good, in an environment where everyone can thrive.

As a School, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to our culture and we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive and egalitarian culture at all levels and across all staff groups and offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds. We are proud to hold Juno Champion and Athena Swan bronze awards, which recognise our commitment to creating an equitable and fully inclusive environment in which staff and students can thrive. We aim to inspire young people to engage with science and engineering through our outreach work.

This project is collaborative between researchers in the Physics of Life and Photonics research groups in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technologyy. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Steven Quinn and in close collaboration with Prof Thomas Krauss, both in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology. The post is expected to start on October 2nd, 2023.

Role

The aim of the research is to develop, test and apply a novel optical biosensing technology based on guided mode resonances (GMRs) to detect and monitor protein levels implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, the role holder will develop and apply robust chemistries on the photonic biosensor surface, investigate approaches to detect multiple proteins in parallel, assess the sensor’s limit of detection and use the sensor to quantify protein levels in patient blood samples.

The sensor that will be developed further during the project is based on the principle of GMRs that have previously detected protein concentrations as low as 1 pg/mL. This project will leverage recent advances in GMR sensor chip design and nanofabrication, microfluidics and surface-immobilization techniques to develop a portable, and sensitive detector of blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the research associate will use advanced biophysical instrumentation, including single-molecule fluorescence and electron microscopy tools, and biochemical approaches including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to confirm protein morphology and abundance. The photonic biosensor will be developed in close collaboration with Phorest Diagnostics, a digital healthcare company developing blood tests for home and community use, providing an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to engage with commercialization processes. The role holder will also contribute to developing and optimizing instrumentation, with the long-term goal of developing a commercial product to support early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Experience of working collaboratively, on a highly interdisciplinary research project is essential for this role.

Please note that this role involves working with human blood samples.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

You will have:

• First degree in Physics, Engineering, Biochemistry or related discipline.

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, Biochemistry or equivalent experience

• Knowledge of optical instrumentation

• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media

• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research in optical sensing

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Steven Quinn (steven.quinn@york.ac.uk), Prof Thomas Krauss (thomas.krauss@york.ac.uk) or Simone Quinn (pet-hr@york.ac.uk), if you would like to learn more about working in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at York.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork