Postdoctoral or Research Associate Position in Droplet Microfluidics at UCLA

University of California, Los Angeles (Dep't of Chemistry & California NanoSystems Institute) (Los Angeles, CA USA)
Phone: +1 310 825-2496 Fax: +1 310 206-2061

Overview

Professor Robin Garrell's laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow (or research associate/technician) position, with a start date of late summer/early fall, 2008. The project will involve designing, interfacing and testing new devices for droplet (digital) microfluidics based on electromechanical actuation. The specific goal is to integrate precise volume dispensing with feedback control for a new approach to array-based chemical synthesis, the products of which will be used in clean energy production.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have earned a doctoral degree in Electrical Engineering, MEMS, or a closely allied field. Experience with CAD, microfabrication, interfacing, and control software, are required, as are good problem-solving and communication skills. The postdoctoral appointment will be for one year, renewable for a second year by mutual agreement. Exceptionally well-qualified individuals with MS degrees and appropriate experience will also be considered for a 6 to 12 mo. appointment. The salary will be commensurate with experience (at least $38K at the postdoctoral level).

Responsibilities

The initial responsibilities are to design, build and test microfluidic devices, improving on published designs for liquid dispensing and movement with feedback control. The devices and associated hardware will be optimized and then used for array-based chemical synthesis (expertise in chemistry is not required). The project requires establishing a productive relationship with collaborators at a major corporation in Southern California. The individual selected for this position must be highly motivated, capable of conducting research independently and prepared to take a leadership role on a team that consists of several graduate and undergraduate students. The postdoctoral fellow would be a principal author on publications, and would have the opportunity to present the work at national and international conferences.

Application

Interested individuals should send a CV, one or two representative publications and contact information (e-mail and phone) for three references to Prof. Robin L. Garrell, garrell@chem.ucla.edu.