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Job Radboud University Nijmegen - PhD student for Bio-Organic Chemistry

PhD student for Bio-Organic Chemistry

Job description

This project involves the synthesis of peptide-based materials that are capable of forming nano-sized fibres through self-assembly. The aim is to control all dimensions of the fibres: not only their width, but also their length. This is achieved by aligning the fibres and cutting them to size through selective polymerization of the fibres. By means of this research we hope to create new ‘smart’ materials that can function as, for example, biosensors. A wide variety of techniques will be employed: organic and peptide synthesis, optical spectroscopy (UV/CD), electron microscopy and (polarization) holography.

Requirements

You have a Master’s degree in chemistry or molecular life sciences. You do not only possess synthetic skills, but are also interested in the characterization of materials which can be both physical and biological in nature. Furthermore you should be able to operate in a multidisciplinary environment, find creative solutions and, if necessary, collaborate with other research groups.

Conditions of employment

You will be appointed as a PhD student for a period of four years. Your performance will be evaluated after 18 months. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.

Contract type

Temporary

Organisation

Radboud University Nijmegen

Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University Nijmegen is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

Department

Faculty of Science

The bio-organic chemistry group aims to create bio-inspired materials and processes in order to combine the functionality of biological systems with the flexibility and robustness of synthetic structures. Smart hybrid materials are developed based on peptides and proteins, using a variety of synthetic techniques such as protein engineering, peptide synthesis and controlled polymerization methods. Natural synthetic processes are mimicked by miniaturization of reaction environments using microsystem technology (Process on a Chip), and by compartmentalization of biocatalysts in polymeric capsules (polymersomes). The bio-organic chemistry group provides an enthusiastic and dynamic international work environment. It is part of the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) and, together with the Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry & Supramolecular Chemistry group and the Molecular Materials group, it constitutes the Molecular Chemistry cluster. The aim of the IMM is to conduct research and train undergraduate and postdoctoral students in the field of functional molecular structures and materials. The emphasis is on understanding and controlling complexity in order to design new functionality in these systems.

Additional information

Radboud University Nijmegen

Dr. D.W.P.M. Löwik (UD)
+31 24 3652382
d.lowik@science.ru.nl

Prof. Dr. Ir. J.C.M. van Hest
+31 24 3610648
J.vanHest@science.ru.nl

http://www.ru.nl/bio-orgchem

The short URL code for this job opening is: 1590
Direct link to this job www.academictransfer.com/1590