Multiple PhD positions are available in Professor Youhua Tan’s research group in the Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2016/2017 (https://www.polyu.edu.hk/bme/en/ ... staff/dr-youhua-tan). The group is dedicated to the interdisciplinary research at the confluence of engineering and life sciences. In particular, we mainly focus on the study of how mechanical forces influence cell behavior. Our interests include but are not limited to the following:
1. Biophysical regulation of cancer cell functions: study how mechanical microenvironment regulates cancer cell behavior and further contributes to cancer progression and metastasis (including cancer stem cells);
2. Force-induced reprogramming and directed differentiation: study how mechanical factors regulate the self-renewal/differentiation of stem cells or reprogram differentiated cells into stem-like cells;
3. Mechanical regulation of immune responses: study how biophysical factors influence the functions of immune cells;
4. Force-induced alterations in nuclear mechanics, epigenetics, and gene expression: study how mechanical forces influence gene expression of living cells through changing nuclear mechanics and epigenetic features.
PhD candidates are expected to have a strong academic background in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or biology, be highly motivated, and have strong interests in performing high impact research and publishing in top-tier journals. Competitive fellowship will be provided to excellent candidates. For PhD applicants, the English requirement is overall IELTs >=6.5 with writing >=6.0 or (For TOEFL) 575 or above in paper-based test (with a score of at least 4 out of 6 in the Test of Written English); or 90 or above in internet-based test (with a writing score of 23 or above). Excellent candidates would be recommended for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKD20,000/month). Students interested in joining Professor Youhua Tan’s group are encouraged to contact him at youhua.tan@polyu.edu.hk with CV.
Professor Tan has various academic backgrounds and has been dedicated to the high impact research in cell mechanics and mechanobiology. His research has been published in many prestigious journals, including Nature Materials, Nature Communication, Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Biomechanics, etc.