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PhD Position : Fribourg, Switzerland

The recently established National Center of Competence in Research for Bio-Inspired Stimuli-Responsive Materials (www.bioinspired-materials.ch) strives to become an internationally recognized hub for paradigm-shifting research, innovation, and education in the domain of “smart” materials whose function and design are inspired by Nature. Transcending traditional disciplines, the center will integrate the research activities of fourteen research groups from the University of Fribourg’s Adolphe Merkle Institute, its departments of chemistry, medicine, and physics, and partners at the University of Geneva and the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne.

To complete the management team of the center we are searching for a

PhD Position [Job code: AMI-CW-001]

You will be responsible for:

The project targets the synthesis and characterization of mechanically responsive polymers. The studies will involve the synthesis of novel supramolecular mechanically switchable small molecules and their incorporation into a variety of polymeric systems. The mechanical activation of these “mechanophores” will be probed and the design principles will be used to impart polymer materials with new functions. The candidates must therefore wish to pursue independent research involving small-molecule synthesis, polymer synthesis and characterization, and mechanical analysis.

You have experience in:

We aim to attract the best talent in the field and expect an outstanding master's degree (or equivalent) in synthetic organic or polymer chemistry and the competences and interest to successfully pursue independent research involving small-molecule synthesis, polymer synthesis and characterization, and mechanical analysis. You have strong analytical skills, are creative, interested in inter- and multidisciplinary research in an ambitious team, and have a goal-oriented work approach and a can-do attitude.

We offer:

You will be joining an internationally leading team of enthusiastic scientists. We offer participation in a cutting-edge research project, excellent research facilities, attractive employment conditions, and the possibility to participate in and benefit from a broad range of initiatives led by the Adolphe Merkle Institute and/or the new Center for Bio-Inspired Materials.

Please send your complete documentation (please reference the job code in your motivation letter) until 15.04.2014 to: Christa Waeber, Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Rte de l’ancienne papeterie, P.O. Box 209, 1723 Marly-1. Online: christa.waeber@unifr.ch For additional information about the position, please contact: Prof. Christoph Weder, christoph.weder@unifr.ch…

Job details

Employer:National Center of Competence in Research for Bio-Inspired Materials

Website:http://bioinspired-materials.ch

Location:Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

Expires:April 15, 2014

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Postgraduate - Doctorate/PhD

Employment type:Permanent

Job hours:Full-time