LU konferenceRESEARCHER on Microswimmers as moving chemoattractants
(doctoral research topic).
Institution: University of Latvia, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Physics, Living Materials Group
Duration: Three years (from October 2025)
Supervisor: Dr. Damien Faivre (ResearchGate profile)
Email: damien.faivre@lu.lv
Application process: by 1 August, 2025 submitted CV and cover letter outlining the motivation and sent to gita.grinberga@lu.lv
Remuneration: EUR 2000-2400 (gross)
Student Qualifications:
- MSc degree in physics, biophysics, materials science, chemistry, microbiology or eq.
- Proficient English is required.
- Skills in microfluidics, optical microscopy, and programming will be highly appreciated.
- Collaboration with scientists from diverse fields is expected.
Brief description of the project: Microrobots are envisioned as the tool of the future for personalized medicine. In the medical context, an effective drug dose can only be achieved if a large quantity of these microswimmers reach the targeted zone. Currently, controlling a population of microswimmers is a very difficult task.
We propose here to circumvent the problematic by analyzing how a single magnetic synthetic microswimmer can be used to control an assembly of several chemotactic devices. As such, a primary goal will first be to study the functionalization of a magnetic microswimmer surface and how this influences its control and ultimately can be effective to control a swarm of microorganisms.
Typically, chemical techniques will be utilized for the functionalization of the microswimmer surface. Microscopy and image analysis approaches will be used to investigate the effect of the functionalization of the actuation of the swimmer. Finally, similar techniques will be dedicated to ensure the population control strategy is effective.
The project is funded by an ERA Chair grant from the European Union: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101187789