Author: valeriagarbin

Project description

We are looking for a postdoc with a strong background in rheology and an interest in developing novel rheological methods based on bubble dynamics. The deformation field around a stationary, spherical bubble undergoing a change in radius is simple and localized, thus making it suitable for rheological measurements [Current Opinion in Colloid and Interface Science 50, 101392 (2020)]. In addition, the deformation imparted by bubble dynamics can reach extreme conditions, being characterized by a large strain, or a high frequency. In recent years, our lab has explored emerging approaches to extract information on the rheology of complex fluids by analyzing bubble dynamics, for instance caused by mass transfer or driven by an acoustic field [Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics 51, 331 (2019)]. Previous work from our lab has focused on using ultrasound-driven microbubbles for high-frequency linear rheology of hydrogels [Soft Matter 13, 3946 (2017)] and to locally deform and manipulate yield-stress fluids [Physical Review Fluids 4, 073301 (2019); Soft Matter 16, 10405 (2020)]. Recently we have combined controlled deformation by bubble dynamics with confocal microscopy of colloidal gels. In this project you will use controlled bubble deformation for characterization of soft materials, will consolidate the suite of rheological protocols that can be performed with bubble dynamics, and will further develop the technique and combine it with microscopy to simultaneously monitor the evolution of the microstructure. Ultimately you will be able to provide novel insights in the behavior of soft materials under extreme deformation conditions. You will join a diverse and interdisciplinary team working on microscale transport phenomena in soft and biological matter. The Garbin lab is embedded in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the project offers exciting synergies with colleagues in the Department of Bionanosciences, and with an international network of collaborators.  

Requirements

We welcome applications from candidates who hold, or are near completion of, a PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics or related disciplines. Applicants should demonstrate: a strong background in rheology and soft matter physics; experimental skills (required) in rheometry, imaging/microscopy, and image analysis; experimental skills (desirable) in confocal microscopy, microrheology, synthesis of colloidal gels; an interest in valorization of fundamental research, for instance the development of open source software; ability to communicate effectively with different audiences; an excellent track record in their education and research; excellent command of English (written and spoken); an open mind to collaborate with other scientists and industry.    

Conditions of employment

This postdoc position has a fixed-term contract of 1 year, with the possibility to extend for 1 additional year. The post is available immediately. Full details of conditions of employment available at this link.

Application procedure

Please see full details of vacancy and apply at this link. The deadline for applications is 24 September 2021.

Gas vesicles (GVs) are air-filled protein nanostructures that can be deployed to enable deep molecular ultrasound imaging in living organisms. To maximize the potential of this novel nanotechnology, a diversification of GV acoustic properties is needed. Your goal will be to develop new formulations based on gas vesicles for enhanced acoustic performance. The project is supervised by David Maresca (ImPhys) and co-supervised by Valeria Garbin (ChemE), and is suitable for a MSc student in Applied Physics (TN) or Chemical Engineering. This collaborative, interdisciplinary project is supported by the Delft Bioengineering Institute. Please contact David (D.Maresca@tudelft.nl) or Valeria (V.Garbin@tudelft.nl) to express your interest and find out more.

Available BSc/MSc projects in our group are listed here.

We are excited to announce that the lab is moving to TU Delft. Our research group joins the Transport Phenomena section of the Department of Chemical Engineering. We are already offering BSc/MSc projects for students of TU Delft, and soon we will advertise new openings for PhD students and postdocs.

The past 7 years in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London have been very productive and successful, thanks to the creativity and perseverance of our PhD students and postdocs (Vincent Poulichet, Angelo Pommella, Marc Tinguely, Christiana Udoh, Akaki Jamburidze, Axel Huerre, Marco De Corato, Saikat Saha, Diego Baresch, Brice-Saint Michel, Nerine Joewondo) and to the support and friendship of colleagues, particularly Omar Matar, Serafim Kalliadasis, Ronny Pini, João Cabral, Paul Luckham, Roberto Rinaldi, Klaus Hellgardt, Geoff Maitland, Mengxing Tang, James Choi, John Seddon, and many others. Thank you!