Thursday, April 2, 2009

Metamaterials based on self-assembly of chemically and geometrically anisotropic nanoparticles (Freiburg)

The FRIAS School of Soft Matter Research and the group of Nanotechnology at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), Freiburg University, Germany is offering an immediate opening for a PhD position (E13/2)The aim of the PhD project is to understand and master the process of self-assembly of chemically and geometrically anisotropic nanoparticles in water to obtain three dimensional structures to develop a new type of materials (supermaterials). The nanoparticles may be rods, platelets, pyramids, tetrahedrons, octahedrons having facets that are chemically distinct and will exhibit anisotropic hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. 2 and 3 dimensional crystals with the nanoparticles as units will be fabricated. The project also involves research on the fabrication of the nanoparticles using silicon micro- and nanomachining, chemical functionalization of the surfaces and experimental studies of self-assembly process. The project is in close collaboration with the MESA+ Institute of the University of Twente in The Netherlands. The biggest part of the project will be carried out at IMTEC, and part will be done at MESA+. Formally the promotion will be at the University of Twente.! Prof. Dr. Margit Zacharias (IMTEC) and Prof. Dr. Miko Elwenspoek (FRIAS; MESA+) will supervise the project.Interested candidates should submit a CV, a publication list and the names of 2 referees to Prof. M. Zacharias (tel. 0761 203 7421, Zacharias@imtek.de)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

PostDoc in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The Department of Neuroimaging at the Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral position. The position is placed in the Research Group “Translational Imaging” which aims at the fusion and development of MR-Imaging methods at a clinical 3 Tesla (Siemens Tim Trio) whole body scanner and preclinical 9.4 Tesla animal scanner. The research group is equipped with a latest generation 210 mm horizontal bore Bruker BioSpec animal system and additional cryogenic MR coils for 1H and 13C detection in the mouse brain.

The focus of the position will be on the development and establishment of new magnetic resonance methods for functional-, perfusion- and diffusion tensor (DTI) imaging at 9.4 Tesla and the application and development of corresponding analysis techniques for animal models (mice and rats). The successful applicant will be expected to further advance methods in arterial spin labeling and DTI at high magnetic fields and is expected to be familiar with corresponding pulse-sequence designs and post processing methods suitable for clinical research.

The candidate would also collaborate on several ongoing animal studies of schizophrenia, depression, substance abuse and other psychiatric disorders in mouse and rat models. The assistance in the general supervision of the animal scanner would also be part of the position. More information can be found at
http://www.zi-mannheim.de/transl_imaging.html.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in physics, physical chemistry, engineering or equivalent fields. The ideal candidate has a solid background in NMR physics, signal detection and processing theory, and demonstrated hands-on experience in pulse sequence development, preferably within the Bruker Paravision programming environment. Experience in other computer languages, including C++, Matlab and IDL, is desirable.

The appointment will be initially for a period of 2 years with the option to expand the appointment. The position includes a salary following the German civil service pay guidelines (TV-L).

Interested applicants should email a letter of research interests and a CV to:


Dr. Wolfgang Weber-Fahr, Ph.D. w.weber-fahr@zi-mannheim.de

Postdoctoral Position (Dresden)

The Biotechnology Centre is setting up a Bioinformatics Service
Unit. We are now offering positions for

3 Postdoctoral Fellows

who will conduct research and development in collaboration with
other scientists at the Biotechnology Center. The life-sciences
campus in Dresden offers a very competitive research setting
including a 3,000 node supercomputer at the university as well
as strong local partners applying latest experimental
technologies. The interdisciplinary Biotechnology Center
provides a stimulating, international environment for leading
research. The computing hardware at the Institute includes
cutting edge database servers and a cluster for parallel
computation
. The positions are initially offered for two years
and further extension will be possible. The period of employment
is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act
(WissZeitVG).
Responsibilities: The scientists at the Bioinformatics Service
Unit will conduct research in collaboration with the research
groups at BIOTEC. The scientists have no teaching obligations.
Requirements: We are seeking creative, highly motivated
researchers with a track record of peer reviewed publications.
Candidates must have a strong quantitative background and have
received, or are soon expecting, a Ph.D. degree in relevant
areas, including Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Computer
Science, or Engineering. The expertise of the Service Unit will
cover the areas sequence analysis, expression data analysis,
structural biology and protein interaction prediction,
textmining, network biology, as well as design and
implementation of biological databases. Candidates with
expertise in any of the above areas are encouraged to apply.
See http://www.biotec.tu-dresden.de for more details.
Applications from women are particularly welcome. The same
applies to disabled people.
Applications received by March 17th 2009, (Deadlines refer to the
date on the postmark of the University`s Post Room Service) will
get full consideration. We will continue to review applications
until the position is filled. Please send a CV, a list of
publications, a summary of current/past research (1-2 pages),
and two or three letters of recommendation to Katrin Grosser,
katrin.grosser@biotec.tu-dresden.de (Please note: We are
currently not able to receive electronically signed and
encrypted data) or TU Dresden, BIOTEC, Katrin Grosser, Tatzberg
47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Von:

Katrin Grosser
katrin.grosser@biotec.tu-dresden.de
TU Dresden, BIOTEC
Dresden

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

PhD Studentships in Theoretical Biophysics (Saarbruecken, Germany)

PhD positions in Theoretical Biophysics / Computational Physics are
offered by the junior research group

Theoretical & Computational Membrane Biology
in Saarbrücken, Germany.

Possible PhD projects include

* the investigation of protein-lipid interactions on the atomic
scale, using the method of molecular dynamics simulations,

* the prediction of the action of drugs and peptides on membranes
and membrane proteins (e.g. of anesthetics),

* the study of pore formation in membranes by external electric
fields
(e.g. electroporation),

* the modeling of membrane fusion, and

* the in silico study of phase transitions in biological membranes
and their role in the function of membrane proteins.


Work of the group for Theoretical & Computational Membrane Biology is
focused on the prediction of structure, function and (nano)dynamics of
membranes and proteins. Our main interest is directed towards the
interplay of proteins (e.g. of ion channels) with the surrounding
lipids and drugs in biological (cell) membranes. Addressed questions
cover: How do peptides and proteins interact with the membrane? Can we
predict fusion, budding, fission properties? How is transport along and
through membranes achieved? Currently, the international group
consists of five PhD students and several Master and Bachelor students.

Applicants should have successfully completed their Masters or Diploma
degree preferably in physics or theoretical (bio)chemistry, be strongly
motivated and team-oriented. Experience in Molecular Modeling or
structural biology is of advantage, however, applicants from other
fields of research are most welcome. The PhD positions are funded
according to the German TVöD scale (2/3 E13) or with a stipend (1,460
Euro/month). The positions are limited to three years.

The University of Saarbrücken strives to increase the percentage of
female employees in the field of science and encourages applications
from female candidates. Handicapped applicants are welcome.

Interested candidates should send their application letter + CV
(including the names of one or two people who would be willing to send
a letter of recommendation) by E-mail (pdf) to:

rainer@bioinformatik.uni-saarland.de

Rainer Böckmann
Theoretical & Computational Membrane Biology
66041 Saarbrücken
Phone: ++49-(0)681/302-64169 (68627)