Student Opportunity SU24 - Low-Cost Microfluidic Sensors for Enhanced Electrochemical Measurements Research Assistant

Post

Published on March 27, 2024

Job ID: 67103

Job Title: Low-Cost Microfluidic Sensors for Enhanced Electrochemical Measurements Research Assistant

Application Deadline: Thursday, April 18, 2024 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

Applications are only accepted through the Career Centre. Go to the Experience York portal through Passport York and search for the posting with the Job ID listed above. Note: applicants must be eligible to participate in the Research @ York (RAY) program, see eligibility criteria.

Hourly wage: $19 per hour

Hours per week: 11 hours per week

Start date: April 29, 2024

End date: August 30, 2024

Job description

Under the guidance of Professor Pouya Rezai, the Low-Cost Microfluidic Sensors for Enhanced Electrochemical Measurements Resarch Assistant (for up to 11 hours per week) will assist in advancing the development of straightforward, economical, and portable microfluidic devices for point-of-use applications. This involves utilizing cost-effective materials such as double-sided adhesive tape polymers, polyethylene, and screen-printed electrodes, along with employing affordable and straightforward microfabrication techniques like laser micro-machining. These efforts aim to pioneer a new generation of microfluidic electrochemical sensors capable of enabling highly sensitive molecular and cellular quantification while facilitating mass production. The responsibilities of the RA include:

• Conducting a comprehensive literature review.
• Designing, fabricating, testing, and characterizing flexible and portable microfluidic devices and low-cost screen-printed electrodes.
• Optimizing previously developed devices and procedures to improve the limits of detection and sensitivity of current sensors.
• Collaborating with other researchers, including graduate students, research associates, and postdoctoral fellows.
• Participating in both individual and group meetings.
• Preparing deliverables such as conference presentations, journal manuscripts, invention disclosures, and patent applications.

Specific research activities the student(s) will be engaged in:

The RAY Student will be actively engaged in a variety of hands-on tasks, primarily centred around designing, developing, and testing flexible and low-cost microfluidic chips using adhesive tapes which are equipped with in-situ prepared screen printed electrodes. Through collaboration with Professor Rezai's team, the student will acquire a series of skills in chemical handling, microfabrication, microfluidic assay development and electrochemical testing, and data analysis, along with soft skills. The RAY student's duties include:

• Conducting a thorough literature review on existing methods for fabricating flexible microfluidic chips including wearable devices, and low-cost electrodes.
• Utilizing SolidWorks to design microfluidic devices.
• Fabricating multilayer microfluidic devices using various microfabrication techniques, including laser micro-machining and micro-milling.
• In-situ fabricating screen printed electrodes using different conductive pastes.
• Examining the quality of fabricated microchannels surface morphology of electrodes using optical microscopy and SEM imaging.
• Performing electrochemical measurements using common techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry etc. to evaluate the performance of the microfluidic sensors for the detection of different chemicals such as metal ions.
• Working closely under the supervision of multiple mentors, including senior PhD students and postdocs, who will provide guidance throughout the research. The RAY student will report directly to these mentors on a day-to-day basis to discuss project progress.
• Participating in weekly meetings with the principal investigator.
• Contributing to the preparation of conference presentations, journal articles, and potential invention disclosures.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate York student. Applicants from diverse programs of study are encouraged. The Dahdaleh Institute welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples, and individuals of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to fostering a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Demonstrated interest in Mechanical Engineering or related fields such as Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, and/or Material Sciences.
• Familiarity with Electrochemical sensing methods, fluid mechanics, microfluidics, and microfabrication is considered advantageous.
• Proven skills, experience, and familiarity with conducting literature reviews.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting hands-on experiments.
• Excellent communication skills demonstrated through professional written and verbal correspondence, public speaking, and presentations.
• Proficient computer skills including word processing, email, database management, spreadsheets, and presentation software; familiarity with Office 365 Apps is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to work independently as well as collaboratively with researchers, students, and staff.
• Eagerness to learn, support others, and take initiative.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.

Application materials

• Cover letter
• Resume

If you have any questions, please email Pouya Rezai

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