PhD Positions [Job code: AMI-AF-002a and AMI-AF-002b]: Stimuli responsive nanomaterials

The recently established National Center of Competence in Research for Bio-Inspired Stimuli-Responsive Materials (www.bioinspired-materials.ch) strives to become an internationally recognized hub for paradigm-shifting research, innovation, and education in the domain of “smart” materials whose function and design are inspired by Nature. Transcending traditional disciplines, the center will integrate the research activities of initially fourteen research groups from the University of Fribourg’s Adolphe Merkle Institute, its departments of chemistry, medicine, and physics, and partners at the University of Geneva and the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL).
*
*Position and Requirements
To complete the research team of Prof. Alke Fink/Prof. Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser at the Adolphe Merkle Institute, we search for highly motivated and talented PhD students to work in a strongly interdisciplinary environment combining nanomaterial chemistry, chemical engineering, and biotechnology or biomedical engineering, respectively.
The project aims at designing and modulating new types of substrates for different cell types to study dynamic cellular responses using responsive nanomaterials.
The project covers the following fields:

• Synthesis, surface derivatization, and characterization of (stimuli) responsive (nano)materials
• Nanotopography
• Cell migration, differentiation, and proliferation
• Cell substrate design and development

The project is based on the complementary competencies of 4 research teams. We aim at attracting the best talent in the respective research field and expect :

• an outstanding university master's/ diploma degree (or equivalent) in chemical engineering or material science (AMI-AF-002a) OR biomedical engineering (AMI-AF-002b) first research experience, preferably in the field, and a strong anayltical background.
• an independent, target- and solution-driven work attitude;
• inter- and multidisciplinary thinking; strong motivation and interest to join one an ambitious interdisciplinary research cluster
• an integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communication and social skills;
• fluency in English – written and oral

You will be joining a team of enthusiastic scientists who creatively pursue their research agenda by the cluster's innovative approach and support. We offer :

• A cutting-edge research project
• Excellent research facilities
• Full funding
• Supporting curriculum with many optional courses
• International environment with English as the working language

Application Procedure
Please send your complete documentation to:
Prof. Alke Fink, Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Rte de l’ancienne papeterie, P.O. Box 209, 1723 Marly-1.
Online: alke.fink@unifr.ch
Please reference the job code in your motivation letter and in the subject header !