stillingsbetegnelse:
PhD position in Bio-fluid Mechanics of Multicellular Sponges

jobbeskrivelse:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is seeking a candidate for a PhD position in the area of bio-fluid mechanics. The position is placed within the Section for Fluid Mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering, and is part of the project: “Early Evolution of Multicellular Sponges” funded by the Villum foundation in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark, University of Aarhus, University of Aalborg, the Paleontological Museum Munich and the Natural History Museum of London. Project description Sponges are one of the earliest evolved, and simplest, groups of animals. They are multicellular but lack the typical organization of other animals. Sponges are sessile animals with water-pumping choanocyte chambers. They share characteristics with choanoflagellates, a group of filter feeding flagellates believed to be the sister group to all animals including sponges. The project will study bio-fluid mechanical properties of free-living choanoflagellates, colonial choanoflagellates and sponges. The goal is to investigate the major differences in functional biology of unicellular choanoflagellates and multicellular sponges in order to identify the evolutionary steps that enabled the development of multicellular sponges in which the entire body is specialized for filter-feeding, and therefore to understand a critical step in the history of animal evolution. Background information regarding the “Early Evolution of Multicellular Sponges” is available on Sponge project. Responsibilities and tasks The goal of the PhD project is to perform experimental and numerical studies of the water flow in choanocytes and choanoflagellates. Specifically: •to perform flow measurements using video-microscopy and particle tracking of the flow in single cell choanoflagellates to choanoflagellate colonies and sponges. The data should be used for validation of the computational models. •to model the microvilli collar and beating flagellum of a choanoflagellate and the a choanocytes cell in detailed computational fluid dynamics simulations. The studies should elucidate the extend of biomixing and re-fitration and explore the mechanical function of choanocycte and choanoflagellate pumps as well as their homology. Qualifications Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. A solid background in fluid mechanics is a prerequisite. Good communication skills in written and spoken English are required. Approval and Enrolment The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide. Assessment The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Jens Honoré Walther. We offer We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world. Salary and appointment terms The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years. The primary workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus but experiments will be carried out at the Marine Biological Research Centre, University of Southern Denmark, Kerteminde, Funen. Further information Further information may be obtained from Professor Jens Honoré Walther, tel.: +45 4525 4327. Application Please submit your online application no later than Dece

Arbejdsgiver Navn: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Arbejdsgiver telefonnummer: 45252525

Arbejdsgiver faxnummer: 45881799

Job kort beskrivelse:
Undervisning og forskning på universiteter og højere læreranstalter

land: Danmark

region: Hovedstaden

krævede uddannelse: Ikke angivet

Kilde til jobtilbud: AMS, Offentlige arbejdsformidlinger, Danmark