The University of Washington in Seattle, Washington seeks to fill a full-time acting assistant professor or post-doctoral research associate position. The proposed position focuses on the development of a point-of-care diagnostic for determining HIV viral load. The successful candidate will work in Jonathan Posner’s research group, will have an appointment in either the Departments of Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering, and will work closely with our project collaborators at PATH (Seattle, WA) and UW Division Allergy of Infectious Diseases.
This NIH funded project focuses on the development of a paper-based, nucleic acid amplification test for quantifying HIV viral load in whole blood. More than 35 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and it is projected that more than 60 million HIV viral load tests are needed each year. The project is experimentally intensive and involves the construction of paper microfluidic devices, use of isothermal amplification of nucleic acids, working with RNA and HIV, and making optical measurements. Successful candidates will have a passion for technical solutions to challenges in global health and demonstrated experience in any of the following areas: point of care diagnostics, isothermal nucleic acid amplification, paper microfluidics, biochemistry and/or electrolyte chemistry, electrokinetics, and/or fluorescence microscopy/optics. A PhD in engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, or related field is required. Candidates should have published in peer-reviewed publications, work well in a team, and have strong communication skills.
To apply, please send electronically a cover letter, a CV, and the names and contact information for three references to Jonathan Posner at jposner@uw.edu.