Postdoc Chemistry - Organic Chemistry (m/f/d)

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) (m/f/d)

The IPF-Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, the Research Division Ekectronic 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.

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

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, jo...