Postdoc in Microfluidic Systems and Metabolic MR Imaging

The MR Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the project QCHIP-MET: A Multimodal Organ-on-Chip Platform for Quantum ROS Detection and Metabolic Monitoring, starting 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a full-time fixed-term appointment for 2.5 years and is funded by the ODIN – Open Discovery Innovation Network foundation, NNF grant number: NNF23SA0088590.

The position focuses on experimental development at the interface of microfluidic organ-on-chip systems and metabolic magnetic resonance (MR) measurements. The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing stable and reproducible experimental workflows for studying bacterial metabolism and treatment response.

As a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of one of the largest health science research environments in Denmark. The department covers all medical specialties and works in close collaboration with Aarhus University Hospital and regional hospitals in Central Denmark Region. The department has access to approximately 30,000 m² of modern research facilities, including advanced MRI scanners, laboratories, and animal facilities. The department employs around 670 academic staff, 500 PhD students, and 160 technical/administrative staff. You can read more about the institute

and the faculty

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The position will be affiliated with the MR Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University.

The QCHIP-MET project is an interdisciplinary research project aiming to develop a multimodal organ-on-chip platform for studying metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infection models. The project integrates hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy, nanodiamond-based quantum sensing of ROS, and advanced label-free optical microscopy to establish robust experimental workflows for studying infection biology. The project is conducted in collaboration between Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and industrial partners.

The MR Research Centre provides a collaborative research environment with strong emphasis on scientific quality, collegial support, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

As a Postdoc, your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will work closely with other postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and senior scientists at the department and across the consortium.

Key tasks include:

• Conduct independent research at a high international level, including publication
• Develop, optimize, and maintain microfluidic systems and workflows for organ-on-chip experiments combined with MR measurements
• Plan and execute MR experiments using hyperpolarized 13C tracers in collaboration with project partners
• Develop robust experimental procedures and protocols to ensure reproducibility
• Contribute to data analysis and interpretation in collaboration with interdisciplinary partners, including development and integration of open-source data pipelines

You will report to Associate Professor Lotte Bonde Bertelsen.

You have academic qualifications at PhD level within biomedical engineering, engineering, physics, medical physics, chemistry, biophysics or a related discipline.

We expect applicants to have a strong experimental profile and experience with complex laboratory systems.

Experience within one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• Microfluidic systems or organ-on-chip technologies
• Flow systems, perfusion platforms or pressure-controlled systems
• Experimental system development and troubleshooting
• MR, metabolic imaging or related measurement technologies

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative researcher who can work independently and contribute positively to a team in an international, interdisciplinary environment. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

To be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet the academic criteria defined in the Danish Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Shortlisting will be used.

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Lotte Bonde Bertelsen at: Lotte@clin.au.dk

Your place of work will be the MR Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in May.

Read more about the MR Research Centre at www.mr.au.dk.