ZJU-UIUC Global Postdoc Program in the Center for Pathogen Diagnostics (CPD)
We are inviting highly self-motivated postdoc candidates to join the ZJU-UIUC CPD (https://publish.illinois.edu/pathogen-diagnostics/) to establish multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research and development efforts to address significant technological and scientific gaps in the field of pathogen detection. The CPD goal is to establish a pipeline of innovation that includes identification of biological and structural characteristics of pathogens that can serve as a basis for next-generation detection techniques, sample preparation technologies that effectively separate target materials from complex media, ultra-selective molecular biology methods, ultra-sensitive biosensor signal transduction, mobile detection instruments, and machine learning tools that convert detection data into clinically relevant knowledge. The candidates will have the opportunity to work and interact closely with the CPD members/collaborators with diverse expertise in electrical engineering, bioengineering, micro/nanofabrication, super-resolution microscopy, pathogen biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biosensors, detection instrumentation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Candidates with the following qualifications will be given priority consideration.
- Micro- and nanofabrication: Design and fabrication of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional structures from hard materials (semiconductors, metals, and dielectrics) or soft materials (polymers and hydrogels) using various patterning methods (optical lithography, electron beam lithography, replica molding, embossing), deposition methods (sputtering, semiconductor crystal growth) and etching methods (reactive ion etching, sacrificial etching, MAC etch).
- Photonic metamaterials: Design and fabrication of photonic crystals, bound state in the continuum (BIC) structures, and other classes of optical resonators that can enhance light-matter interaction for the purpose of detecting pathogen-related target materials (nucleic acids, proteins, and intact viruses) with enhanced contrast.
- Nucleic acids engineering: Experience in DNA (origami) nanostructure design and characterizations (PAGE, AGE, AFM, TEM), and/or DNA aptamer and DNAzyme selection and screening; Experience in nucleic acid chemistry and surface modifications; Background in chemistry, biochemistry, or biophysics; Experience in basic bacterial cell culture and molecular cloning.
- Detection instrumentation: Point of care detection instruments that integrate illumination, imaging, and image processing for detection of photon emitters (fluorophores and quantum dots), nanoparticle tags, and viral/bacterial pathogens
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. Qualified candidates will spend (at least) 1 year each at UIUC and ZJU, with co-advising by UIUC and ZJU faculty. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
For interested candidates, please send your CV and a cover letter to Profs. Brian Cunningham (bcunning@illinois.edu), Huan Hu (huanhu@intl.zju.edu.cn), and Xing Wang (xingw@illinois.edu).
The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit “Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment”.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.