Regarding our candidate selection process, I’d like to share the view of a colleague and friend of mine: „We do not seek the best candidate. We seek the best fitting candidate. Hence, rather than telling us how brilliant you are and how great your achievements are, tell us where exactly you and your expertise would fit and synergize with that of our group. In other words: tell us why you are the right one for our group. But on top of that—and much more important in fact—do also tell us why our group is the right one for you.“

24.08.22: New PhD positions (3-year contract) open for application at OVGU MAGDEBURG
Cf. below for further details. Please send your complete application (summary of research interests, CV, a detailed description of hands-on training in experimental and characterization tools and methods, contact information of two references as well as short statement, why you chose to apply for the position at hand) by 15th October 2022 (date of receipt of application) using the online application portal at OVGU.

PhD position 1: Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeit (m/w/d) / Research assistant (PhDstudent) im Bereich der Polymer-basierten additiven Fertigung (3D-Druck)

The demand for materials that meet the requirements of system integration, programmability and adaptability requires new material concepts. One such concept is polymer-based additive manufacturing (3D printing). In the future, it is important to manufacture polymer materials using 3D printing processes in an ecologically sustainable and economically viable way based on renewable materials. For this purpose, the PhD position is devoted to investigating synthesis and functionalization strategies that allow biomass to be used to produce multifunctional, responsive and adaptive polymer materials using additive manufacturing.

Main responsibilities:

• Functionalization of biomass-derived polymers (for photo-crosslinking, click chemistry etc.)
• Processing of polymer formulations via 3D printing (stereolithography, bioprinting)
• Characterization of 3D-printed parts (mechanics, biocompatibility, optical properties)
• Organization and holding of lectures (2.6 SWS) and internships, supervision of Bachelor/Master theses and student assistants
• Active involvement in administrative tasks

Requirements for the position:

• Master degree or equivalent in polymer chemistry, macromolecular or organic chemistry
• Experiences in academic teaching
• Enjoys scientific work and working with students
• Team-oriented and independent work

PhD position 2: Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeit (m/w/d) / Research assistant (PhDstudent) im Bereich Polymerpartikel-basierter Formulierungen für den 3D-Druck

Additive manufacturing of hydrogel matrices for biomedical applications is primarily based on the use of liquid starting materials – so-called bio-inks. Locally defined hydrogel systems are yet essential to mimic the various functions, mechanical properties and general heterogeneity of natural cell environments. Purely liquid bio-inks have therefore been developed further, in particular by adding pre-polymerized gels to form so-called particulate/granular formulations for 3D printing. The subject of the advertised position is the development of polymer particle-based formulations for 3D printing that combine sensor properties and multi-functionality.

Main responsibilities:

• Synthesis of macromers / monomers and its processing into microgels
• Development of particle-based bio-inks and its usage in 3D printing (pneumatic extrusion)
• Characterization of mechanics and functionality of 3D-printed parts
• Organization and holding of lectures (2.6 SWS) and internships, supervision of Bachelor/Master theses and student assistants
• Active involvement in administrative tasks

Requirements for the position:

• Master degree or equivalent in polymer chemistry, macromolecular or organic chemistry
• Experience in additive manufacturing (bioplotting/bioprinting) and microfluidics
• Experiences in academic teaching
• Enjoys scientific work and working with students
• Team-oriented and independent work

PhD position 3: Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeit (m/w/d) / Research assistant (PhDstudent) im Bereich Membran-verkapselte Mikrogele

Synthetic biology is a strongly interdisciplinary field at the boundary of biology, chemistry and engineering, one aim of which is to developbiological systems that do not occur in nature but are based on its principles – such as synthetic cells. Microscopic hydrogels are onesuitable experimental platform for this purpose. However, they lack an essential property of living cells: a functional cell membrane. Theaim of the advertised position is the
design of membrane components for the encapsulation of polymer microgels with functional,switchable membranes.

Main responsibilities:

• Synthesis of membrane building blocks (amphiphiles) and hydrogel precursors (macromers)
• Preparation of microgels via microfluidics
• Investigation of concepts to build up membranes around polymer microgels
• Organization and holding of lectures (2.6 SWS) and internships, supervision of Bachelor/Master theses and student assistants
• Active involvement in administrative tasks

Requirements for the position:

• Master degree or equivalent in polymer chemistry, macromolecular or organic chemistry
• Experience in microfluidic materials processing and / or synthetic biology
• Experiences in academic teaching
• Enjoys scientific work and working with students
• Team-oriented and independent work

Further general info: In addition to all the usual social benefits of the public sector, we have more to offer, such as the possibility of flexible working hours. Modern working conditions, a wide range of training and development opportunities, and a positive work environment that is highly valued by our employees distinguish us as an employer. We also offer a wide range of sports and leisure activities, extensive catering in our canteens and cafeterias as well as workplace health promotion. Otto von Guericke University is a signatory of the German Diversity Charter. We welcome your application, regardless of gender, cultural and social background, age or sexual orientation. Applications from severely disabled people or people with an equivalent impairment will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional expertise. The Otto von Guericke University strongly promotes gender equality in all professional areas. Please note the information for storage of personal data:
https://www.ovgu.de/en /data_protection.html

19.11.21: New PhD position (3-year contract) open for application at LEIBNIZ IPF DRESDEN! CLOSED
To match the current demand for highly integrated responsive-adaptive polymer systems for sensing, information processing, soft robotics or multi-parametric implants, we need to go beyond existing material classes. Here, the ThieleLab offers a PhD position (m/f/d) on developing polymer material processing strategies. The ERC project 3DPartForm plans to address the current lack of additive manufacturing to provide multifunctional, stimuli-responsive materials by exploring a novel material design strategy that includes processing and assembling individual polymer building blocks with an intrinsic set of functions and properties into true 4D polymer multimaterials. The PhD position is devoted to develop, construct and apply processing platforms for these building block in close collaboration with other project members. It will be of particular interest that these building blocks can be later assembled into larger hierarchical structures that are not simply static, but able to guide, process and manipulate information based on light, electric charges or diffusing molecules. To tackle these challenges, the successful candidate is trained in chemistry, materials science or process engineering, hands-on experience in machine construction and engineering is a plus.

The desire to path new ways in how polymer materials are made, to work across disciplines and discuss results with collaborators from other fields is essential. If you are motivated by these challenges, please read the PDF below carefully.

We especially encourage women to apply. Disabled applicants with equal qualification will be given preferential consideration.

Starting date: 01.01.2022 (limited to 3 years)

Salary: According to German pay grade TV-L EG 13 (65%)

10.07.22: Student assistant position open (10 hrs / week)!
The ThieleLab is looking for a student (1st or 2nd year master; chemistry, food chemistry, chemical engineering) to support our work on hybrid additive manufacturing, digital design, and cell-free biosynthesis. For more info, please contact julian.thiele (at) ovgu.de or thiele (at) ipfdd.de