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PhD Position available: “Machine Learning with Active
Particles” | Leipzig University

A PhD position is available to work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Frank Cichos on machine learning of active particles.

Active particles are model systems for biological systems like bacteria. They self-propel under energy consumption, but lack besides their physical interactions the possibility to develop behavior, i.e., to react to neighbors or signals in their environment. The PhD student in this project will develop experimental procedures that combine algorithms of artificial intelligence with optical control techniques to allow active particles to develop behavior.

Requirements:

  • should have or expect to achieve a Masters-level degree in Physics
  • interest in working at the interface between soft matter physics, biophysics and photonics
  • strong interest and self-motivation in the subject
  • good experimental practice
  • ability to think analytically and creatively.
  • Good computer skills as well as presentation and writing skills in English

To apply in first instance, please email a motivation letter, an up-to-date CV and your certificates of graduation including a transcript of your courses to Prof. Dr. Frank Cichos (). The position is available immediately. The application deadline is extended to January 31, 2020.

Please visit our group website for more details about our research:

https://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mona   

PhD position available: “Micro- and millisecond
molecular motions in solid proteins” |
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

The project aims at the study of molecular dynamics in various solid protein samples (protein crystals, amorphous powders, sediments) by means of modern solid-state NMR techniques. Special attention will be given to the so-called “rocking motion”, that is the overall restricted protein rotation within the solid matrix. Taking this type of motion into account is essential for a correct interpretation of many kinds of experimental data. The amplitude and the time scale of this motion can also be good indicators of a nature of inter-molecular interactions in solid biosamples. The ultimate goal of the work is to establish a connection between protein properties, the properties of the inter-protein contacts in a solid preparation and the parameters of the “rocking motion”.

The candidate will conduct extensive experimental work on high field NMR spectrometers (magic angle spinning, double and triple channel experiments on 15N and 13C enriched proteins, 1D and 2D spectroscopy, relaxometry, exchange methods), he/she will also perform a rather sophisticated quantitative analysis of the data, including data fitting procedures and various numerical simulations.

Requirements:

  • master degree in physics or chemistry
  • good knowledge of NMR basics (theory and experiment)
  • good computer and programming skills
  • ability and interest in constant improving experimental and theoretical skills, expanding expertise, and independent work with scientific literature

To apply in first instance, please e-mail a motivation letter, CV and available diploma/certificates  to Dr. Alexey Krushelnitsky (e-mail ). The duration of the contract is 3 years with possible extension on 2 years. The starting date is flexible, but preferably not later than March 1, 2020.

PhD Position available: “Development of Highly Parallel
Trapping Methods for the Detection of Protein
Aggregation with Single Molecule Resolution” | Leipzig
University

A PhD position is available to work under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Frank Cichos at the department Molecular Nanophotonics on the development of highly parallel trapping methods for the detection of protein aggregation with single molecule resolution. The PhD student will be embedded in an ESF Junior Research Group.

Many neurodegenerative diseases appear to be related to a misfolding and aggregation of proteins into toxic and insoluble structures. Current studies of the aggregation process mainly suffer from the heterogeneity of the ensemble that is investigated, where different aggregation processes occur simultaneously but cannot be resolved individually. The PhD candidate will work on the development of a highly parallel version of our recently developed thermophoretic trap for protein aggregation, which allows the direct observation of the individual processes of amyloid formation and protein aggregation on many individual fibrils simultaneously.

Requirements:

  • should have or expect to achieve a Masters-level degree in Physics or a similar area
  • interest into biomolecular processes and modern optical microscopy
  • strong interest and self-motivation in the subject
  • good experimental practice and the ability to think analytically and creatively
  • Good computer skills as well as presentation and writing skills in English

To apply in first instance, please email a motivation letter, an up-to-date CV and your certificates of graduation including a transcript of your courses to Prof. Dr. Frank Cichos (). The application deadline is extended to October 6, 2019.

Please visit our group website for more details about our research:
https://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mona   

PhD Position available: “Dynamics and charge transport
in individualized macromolecules” | Leipzig University

In modern material development it is highly desired to tailor charge transport properties and other functionalities by design on the molecular level. In synthetic polymers as well as biological macromolecules, the major materials of current and future production, these properties are largely controlled by the molecular dynamics.

This PhD project will focus on the exploration of dynamical and charge transport properties of individualized synthetic and biological macromolecules. This will be achieved by a cutting-edge method, which combines nano-structured electrodes and nano-patterned surfaces, to employ dielectric spectroscopy to an ensemble of individualized macromolecules. In addition to the exploration of molecular dynamics in the novel realm of individualized molecules, a close collaboration with other research groups aims to establish bridges to other methods which also probe dynamics on the molecular level. A stimulating environment offers many occasions for fruitful exchange with colleagues and scientific collaborations. The position has a duration of 3 years starting of January 1, 2020.

Requirements:

  • Master degree in physics
  • fundamental knowledge in soft matter physics and spectroscopic techniques during studies
  • delicate sample preparation is no obstacle because of the candidate’s extraordinary manual skills
  • for the data analysis, some basic programming skills are recommended

To apply in first instance, please email a motivation letter, an up-to-date CV and your certificates of graduation including a transcript of your courses to Dr. Martin Treß (), Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University. The application deadline is August 28, 2019.

Chemistry Department / Working Group of Prof. Wolfgang Binder

Chemistry Department / Working Group of Prof. Wolfgang Binder

The working group of Prof. Wolfgang Binder at Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is seeking PhD/PostDoc positions in the area of polymer science / protein science. The area of research is located within folding/refolding of hybrid-polymers, with a focus on synthetic polymer science, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. Applicants should have a finished Master in chemistry or biochemistry (for PhD positions) or a finished PhD in chemistry, biochemistry or physical chemistry (PostDoc positions). In particular the following positions can be filled, according to expertise.

  • PhD-positions (up to 4 years) in 3D-printing of self-healing / biobased hybrid-materials. Aim is the development of polymeric hybridmaterials for 3D-printing via combined methodologies. Required is a Master in chemistry, and a pronounced interest in biochemistry/biology.
  • PostDoc-positions (initial term for 2 years, up to a total of 4 years) in (cooperative) protein/hybrid-polymer assembly. Aim is the development of (synthetic) hybrid-aggregating proteins, containing both, proteins and artificial folding elements. Requires extensive skills in organic chemistry, proteins chemistry and structural biology. Contains elements of synthetic chemistry (polymerization), CD-spectroscopy, protein/peptide-chemistry. Requires a PhD in synthetic polymer science, protein/peptide chemistry or physical chemistry of (folded) assemblies, including knowledge of secondary structure determination methododologies.
  • PhD-positions (up to 4 years) in synthesis, biology and physical chemistry of biohybrid (polymer/protein) molecules, their assembly. Focus is directed on assembling proteins and polymers, able to form fibrous structures. Project will elucidate structure/aggregation mechanisms, similar to diseases-related proteins. Required is a Master’s level degree in polymer science / peptide-protein biochemistry.

Applications (including CV, letter of motivation, valid documents for degrees) should be directed to Ms. Anke Hassi,

Scientific questions are to be directed to Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Binder ().

Ballistic Hot Brownian Motion (F. Cichos)

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Physics
  • background in optical microscopy and optical tweezers
  • fundamental knowledge in statistical physics
  • programming and data analysis experience

Detailed information of project
Stellenausschreibung_HBBM_Cichos.pdf (266.7 KB)  vom 01.08.2017

Postdoctoral position

Dynamic and Structural Properties of Amyloid Forming
and Intrinsically Disordered Polypeptide Chains (with
Thomas Kiefhaber)

Requirements:

  • Ph.D. in the field of Physics, Physical Chemistry or Biochemistry
  • Experience with biophysical concepts
  • Some computer programming knowledge.

Detailed information of project of Thomas Kiefhaber
Postdoctoral_Position_TK_Nov2017.pdf (622 KB)  vom 08.11.2017

PhD position

Conformational Dynamics in Proteins and Peptides on
the Nanoseconds to Microseconds (with Thomas
Kiefhaber)

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Physics. Physical Chemistry or Biochemistry
  • Some knowledge in biophysics/biophysical chemistry, optical spectroscopy and kinetics
  • Knowledge of mathematical concepts and computer programming

Detailed information of project
PhD_position_TK_Nov2017.pdf (604.8 KB)  vom 08.11.2017

The impact of confinement on amyloid structure formation and aggregation (M.Ott)

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Biophysics or Physics
  • some knowledge in X-ray scattering and biophysics/soft-matter physics
  • profound command of mathematical concepts
  • some computer programming knowledge

Detailed information of project
web-MO_SFB-B12-Doc_openPosition_10-2017.pdf (689.3 KB)  vom 29.09.2017

Investigation of chain mobility in different crystal polymorphs of poly(lactic acid),
PLA (D. Reichert)

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Biophysics or Physics
  • some knowledge in polymer physics and NMR spectroscopy
  • profound command of mathematical concepts
  • some computer programming knowledge as expected from a major in physical chemistry or physics

Detailed information of project
web-DReichert_Oct2017.pdf (655 KB)  vom 29.09.2017

Effects of confinement on the structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered
proteins and the process of amyloid aggregation (M.Ott)

Requirements:

  • PhD degree in Natural Science
  • knowledge in single-molecule FCS techniques, biochemistry and soft-matter physics
  • profound knowledge of data analysis and programming as expected from a major in physical chemistry or physics

Detailed information of project
project_descr_MOtt_Sept2017.pdf (693.3 KB)  vom 15.09.2017

The impact of confinement on amyloid structure formation and aggregation (M.Ott)

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Biophysics or Physics
  • some knowledge in X-ray scattering and biophysics/soft-matter physics
  • profound command of mathematical concepts
  • some computer programming knowledge

Detailed information of project
project_description_MOtt_August2017.pdf (690.4 KB)  vom 18.07.2017

Conformational Dynamics in Proteins and Peptides on
the Nanoseconds to Microseconds Time Scale

We are seeking a doctoral candidate applying mainly spectroscopic and fast kinetic techniques (laserflash photolysis, temperature jump) to characterize conformational dynamics/fluctuations in proteins and peptides. The data are analyzed based on different kinetic models using either analytical solutions or numerical approaches. In addition, Monte-Carlo simulations are applied to interpret the experimental data on the α-helix/coil transition.

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Physics. Chemistry or Biochemistry
  • knowledge in biophysics/biophysical chemistry, optical spectroscopy and kinetics
  • knowledge of mathematical concepts and computer programming

Please apply directly to Prof. Thomas Kiefhaber till January 15th, 2017

[ more ... ]

Project details
web-TK_DFG-penPosition_01-2017.pdf (108.4 KB)  vom 16.12.2016

Segmental and chain dynamics in linear and branched
polymers and their nano composites (K. Saalwächter)

Requirements:

  • Master degree or equivalent in Chemistry or Physics,
  • some knowledge of NMR spectroscopy and polymer / soft-matter physics.
  • profound command of mathematical concepts
  • some computer programming knowledge

Project details
project_KSaalwaechter_5-6219_16-D.pdf (778.7 KB)  vom 13.07.2016

First-Principles Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Complex Soft Matter (D. Sebastiani)

Project D. Sebastiani
project_dsebastiani.pdf (695.6 KB)  vom 11.10.2013

Solid-state NMR studies of stretched elastomers (K. Saalwächter)

Project K. Saalwächter
project_ksaalwaechter_stretched-rubber.pdf (654.6 KB)  vom 22.07.2013

Solid-state NMR studies of semicrystalline polymers of different topologies (K. Saalwächter)

Project K. Saalwächter
project_ksaalwaechter.pdf (794.6 KB)  vom 09.04.2013

Control of Polymer Properties with Light (K. Siefermann)

Project K. Siefermann
project_ksiefermann.pdf (1.5 MB)  vom 28.02.2013

Effects of topological constraints in polymer melts on crystallization and structure formation

Keywords:

  • Chemistry, Physics
  • Polymer/soft matter physics
  • NMR spectroscopy
  • Mathematical concepts

details of project of K. Saalwächter
project_KSaalwaechter_5-11100:15-D.pdf (783.9 KB)  vom 01.02.2016

Organization and interactions of eye-lens crystallins: native state and cataract formation

Keywords:

  • Chemistry, Physics
  • Polymer/soft matter physics
  • NMR spectroscopy
  • Mathematical concepts

details of project of K. Saalwächter
project_KSaalwaechter_5-11101:15-D.pdf (784.5 KB)  vom 02.02.2016

Substrate-induced molecular order and nucleation in thin films of semicrystalline polymers

Keywords:

  • Chemistry, Physics
  • Polymer/soft matter physics
  • X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy
  • Mathematical concepts

details of project of T. Thurn-Albrecht
project_TThurn-Albrecht_5-198:16-D.pdf (692.3 KB)  vom 01.02.2016

Aggregation mechanisms of amyloid peptides under confinement

Keywords:

  • Physics, Biophysics
  • X-ray scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy

details of project of M. Ott
project_MOtt_5-319:16-D.pdf (692.6 KB)  vom 01.02.2016

Nanomechanical investigations of polymer folding on the single-molecule level

Keywords:

  • Physics, Biophysics, Soft matter physics
  • Force-spectroscopy

details of project of R. Seidel
project_RSeidel.pdf (389.9 KB)  vom 15.02.2016

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