PhD Position (m/f/d) electron microscopy

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), in Geesthacht, near Hamburg, and in Teltow, near Berlin, conducts materials and coastal research. For further information please refer to: www.hzg.de

HZG is one of the 19 national institutions of the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres e.V. (HGF). Around 1,000 employees carry out basic research and development work in close cooperation with national and international research institutions, research-oriented clinics and economic and public institutions.

At the Institute of Biomaterial Science some 100 scientists research multi-functional, polymer-based biomaterials for applications in regernative medicine. Their implants and active agent delivery systems provide customised properties and functions to restore impaired body functions.

PhD Position (m/f/d) electron microscopy

Reference code: 50039414_4 – 2020/B 13
Commencement date: as soon as possible
The place of employment is Teltow (near Berlin, Germany).

The Institute for Biomaterial Science of the HZG performs highly interdisciplinary research connecting the fields of material science, biology and medicine. For a joint interdisciplinary project with the Forschungszentrum Jülich at the forefront of material chemistry, cell biology, and electron microscopy, we are looking for a highly motivated PhD student (m/f/d). The goal of the work will be to investigate the interaction between polymer-based materials and cells. The project is aiming at understanding the degradation or deformation and analysis of polymer cell interaction of polymer-based materials in contact with adhering cells as well as the deposition of ECM at the interface.

Your tasks

• preparation and characterization of polymer-based substrates suitable for cell experiments, when necessary, under clean room conditions
• application of a broad range of characterization tools to determine the composition, the morphology and the surface of polymer-based materials
• investigation of the interaction of the polymer-based materials with cells
• investigation of the cell-material interface by electron microscopy
• development of models to describe the interaction processes

Your profile

• master´s degree or equivalent in chemistry or material sciences with emphasis on soft matter, physical chemistry, biochemistry or similar and willingness to progress into related disciplines
• experience and solid understanding of instrumental methods such as NMR, GPC, mechanical testing and microscopic techniques
• excellent command of the English language
• high problem solving ability and capability of conducting independent and explorative research
• willingness to quickly fill the knowledge gaps that naturally arise when working in an interdisciplinary field of research

We offer

As a PhD student in our institute, you will enroll in the Helmholtz Graduate School for Macromolecular Bioscience (www.hzg.de/ms/macrobio/). The graduate school provides you with the opportunity to attend a broad variety of classes, courses and workshops according to your personal requirements, and ensures a close and transparent mentoring by experienced scientists. PhD students are supported in presenting their work at national and international conferences. We further offer flexible working hours and an appropriate salary related to the German public tariff (TV-AVH) plus the usual social benefits for the public employment sector.

The advancement of equality at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht / Helmholtz Graduate School for Macromolecular Bioscience goes without saying; in particular, we are striving to increase the percentage of women in science. Severely disabled persons with equal qualifications will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Interested? Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) indicating the reference number 2020/B 13.

Please start the online application process for this offered position via www.hzg.de category Career & Campus.

Closing date: December 15th, 2020