Interdisciplinary Research Project for MS or PhD (Cryopreservation, Solidification, Transport)

Graduate research assistantship support (stipend and tuition waiver) is available for a qualified PhD or MS student to participate in an NIH-funded interdisciplinary research project in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Villanova University. The successful applicant will work in the Biothermal Sciences Laboratory (http://www.villanova.edu/BSL), under the direction of Prof. Jens Karlsson, and will gain experience in advanced microscopy techniques (including temperature-controlled microscopy and high-speed video microscopy), microfluidics, as well as experimental and theoretical analysis of solidification processes (including nucleation and crystal growth kinetics). The results of this research project will contribute to the development of a novel approach for cryopreservation of cells and tissues.

Key scientific goals of the research include the measurement and modeling of growth kinetics of ice and sugar crystals under non-equilibrium conditions; as well as the measurement and modeling of transport phenomena during desiccation (drying) of microdroplets and biological cells. Because the research is highly interdisciplinary, applicants are not expected to have previous knowledge of all relevant subject areas (e.g., biology, heat/mass-transfer, solidification processes, etc.) or laboratory techniques.

Students with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Bioengineering or related fields are invited to express their interest in this opportunity by submitting a copy of their resume or curriculum vitae (in PDF format). Applicants must separately seek admission to an appropriate graduate program at Villanova University in order to be eligible for research assistantship support. Preference will be given to applicants who are able to start in the Fall 2015 semester.

Villanova University, founded in 1842, is located on a picturesque 250-acre campus in the historic “Main Line” suburb of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, USA), only 10 miles from downtown.