Postdoc (Nr: 097-24)

The Leibniz‑Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V. (IPF) develops innovations in materials science for the fields of resources, health and information. The IPF employs about 500 people in five scientific institutes, administration and technical services. New topics and methods are increasingly explored in flexible research structures such as independent junior groups. The IPF is certified as a family‑friendly employer according to the Audit berufundfamilie®. Further information can be found at www.ipfdd.de.

Postdoc (No: 097‑24)

The IPF‑Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, the Research Division Electronic Tissue Technologies is looking for a  Post‑doctoral research fellow 40 hours per week to work on project "Organic materials for next generation bioelectronic devices".

Project Description:

Today electronic systems are proficient at handling information, physical interactions with the environment and can perform complex tasks autonomously and intelligently. However electronic systems are not yet very good at direct communication with living matter. This may be because electronic systems are incompatible with water (the major constituent of life). For example, for a silicon chip, sensor, power source or an electrode to work inside the body, it has to be insulated from moisture by thick protective layers. This makes it challenging to engineering medical bioelectronic implants, brain machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics that are well tolerated inside the body. Metals, semiconductors and plastics are unlikely to fulfil this vision due to their mechanical stiffness, susceptibility to corrosion and delamination and lack of biological function. In this project we will ask the question:  can an entirely new set of materials help us to build bioelectronic devices and systems that are virtually indistinguishable from living matter? We will contribute to the development of a new class of materials known as conductive hydrogels. They are soft, made from more than 90% water and can conduct both ionic and electronic charges.  We will explore blending conductive polymers (e.g. polythiophenes) with biomacromolecules found in the extracellular matrix of tissues. We will explore novel monomers, polymerisation techniques to assemble the materials as well as microfabrication technologies to build devices such as electrode or sensor arrays. An advanced aim will be to create devices whose biological function can be switched using electronic commands. They will be tested in cell cultures or in vivo as implants.

Job description:

• develop bioelectonic devices such as electrode arrays based on soft and hydrated materials
• design novel soft materials for applications in bioelectonics
• select, modify or sinthecise monomers for organic mixed ionic‑electronic conductors
• explore polymerisation techniques for the formation of conductive hydrogel materials
• using electrochemical techniques, characterise the properties of conductive hydrogels
• apply or adapt microfabrication techniques for processing conductive hydrogels at the meso and micro scale
• fabricate and characterise bioelectronic devices based on conductive polymers and hydrogels
• est bioelectronic devices in cell cultures and potentially in vivo models

Requirements:

• PhD (or near completion) in a related discipline (suitable backgrounds: organic chemistry, synthesis, organic electronics, bioengineering, soft matter physics, hydrogels, biomaterials, microengineering and others)
• track record of publications in their related field
• experience or sustained interest in biological applications

Soft Skills:

• highly motivated, self‑driven person
• ability to balance independence and collaborative work
• high level communications skills (incl. written English)
• capacity to supervise PhD and Master´s students

We offer you a varied and interesting challenge in an international working environment and appropriate remuneration. The remuneration and social benefits (including a company pension scheme, job ticket, flexible family‑friendly working hours and job‑related further training) are based on the qualifications in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (EG 13 TV‑L).

The advertised position can also be filled on a part‑time basis.

The IPF Dresden strives for gender equality and diversity in all fields. Applications by people with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Moreover, as the IPF would like to raise the proportion of women in fields where they are underrepresented, women in particular are invited to apply. The personal data collected by the IPF relating to your application, as well as the evaluation there of shall be processed exclusively for purposes of the application process on the basis of contractual measures under Art. 6 (1b) GDPR. These data shall not be transferred to third parties. Recipients shall comprise the employees responsible, the Works Council as well as, where applicable, the representative body for disabled employees and the equal opportunities officers of the IPF. Your application details provided to us shall be deleted by us 6 months after the end of the application process, i.e. either after the job advertised has been filled, or after we have decided not to fill the vacancy after all. For questions under data protection law and for exercising your rights, please contact: d atenschutz@ipfdd.de (data protection officer). You have the right to complain to the supervisory authority. Expenses for the interview participation will not be refunds.

Date of entry 
01.10.202

Time limit 
2 years (option of extension)

Contact
For further information please contact:
Prof. Ivan MInev (0351/4658285)