Job - PhD Postion: Hierarchical self-assembly of viruses in liquid crystals

The University of Twente offers a PhD position to work on self-assembly of virus particles, in two and three dimensions. The focus will be on forming long-range, ordered networks of viruses by taking advantage of unique orientational order in liquid crystals. Designing, synthesizing and optimizing the structure of novel virus-compatible, hydrophilic liquid crystals will constitute a major aspect of the research program, which requires a good experimental background in synthetic organic chemistry. The research is interdisciplinary and brings together the fields of soft matter, bio-nanotechnology and materials chemistry.

This position at the University of Twente provides challenging opportunities to carry out multidisciplinary research within the themes ‘Bio-nanotechnology’, “Soft matter” and ‘Stimuli-responsive materials’. We provide a unique environment with exposure to a multitude of disciplines in physics and chemistry for academically gifted and motivated students to prepare for a scientific career.

We are looking for a student with an M.Sc. in organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry or materials science. A good training in organic chemistry and synthesis is necessary. The candidate should be motivated by working in a multidisciplinary environment. We ask for good written and spoken English language skills.The starting date is negotiable but is expected within the first half of 2012.

Contact:
Dr. N. Katsonis (n.h.katsonis@utwente.nl) and BNT group (www.utwente.nl/tnw/bnt/).
Your application should consist of a cover letter (explaining your specific interest and qualifications), a detailed C.V. including contact information for a reference letter and a short description of your master thesis.

• A PhD position for four years (with an evaluation after the first year)
• A stimulating scientific environment
• Gross salary ranging from € 2042 to € 2612 (4th yr) per month
• Holiday allowance (8%), end-of-year bonus (8.3%)
• Excellent facilities for professional and personal development.
• Good secondary conditions
• A green Campus with lots of sports facilities

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and more than 1100 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes IMPACT, MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.