[NMR] PhD position in EPR & NMR at IPF Dresden

PhD position on EPR and NMR at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Germany

The Institute of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Physics, department Polyelectrolytes and Dispersions, at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden offers a position for a research assistant / PhD student (Chemist/Physicist).

Project: Investigations on the dynamics of polyelectrolyte multilayers by spin-labeling and EPR spectroscopy (funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)

Salary 2/3 position TV-L EG 13 (26 hours/week).

Start: asap

Duration: 31.03.2020

Qualification: MSc degree/diploma in Chemistry or Physics

Project description: Subject of the project are polyelectrolyte multilayers that can be prepared by alternating adsorption of polyanions and polycations using the Layer-by-layer technique on various substrates. It is a general and broadly applicable technique that enables manufacturing numerous different tailored structures. Polyelectrolyte multilayers find increasing attention in the targeted modification of surfaces and membranes.

Various aspects, such as the growth mechanism, the internal structure of the layers as well as the dynamics are of fundamental interest for practical applications. While many details of the structures are known, there is much less knowledge for no less important dynamics of polymers in the multilayers.

The aim of the project is to gain new insights into the mobility of chain segments of polyelectrolytes in multilayers and to show correlations between the internal structure and dynamics in these multilayers and resulting properties.

In order to achieve this goal polyelectrolyte molecules are equipped with spin labels and incorporated in a defined manner in the PEM. The EPR spectroscopy offer the potential to study the rotational diffusion of the spin label linked to the macromolecule and to gain quantitative information about the mobility of polymer segments, which are complemented by NMR data,which are sensitive to longer time scales.

The experimental investigations aim at the relationships between the chemical structure of the polyelectrolytes used, the conditions at the preparation of the PEM and the parameters of the surrounding medium (ionic strength, pH) and the mobility of polymer segments in different zones of the multilayer.

The internal dynamics of the polyelectrolytes in the multilayers has an influence on the transport in the multilayer and through the multilayer when it is used as a membrane. The correlation of the temperature dependence of the polymer dynamics and the diffusion of small guest molecules results in insights in the mechanism of transport.

The Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF) is one of the largest polymer research facilities in Germany. As an institute of the Leibniz Association, the IPF is committed to carrying out application-oriented basic research. The focus of activities at the IPF is directed toward the advancement of basic scientific knowledge for the development of functional polymer materials and polymer materials with new or improved characteristics. Leading scientists of the IPF are at the same time appointed professors at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD). Since 2011 the TUD has been one of the excellence universities in Germany. The IPF offers a stimulating working atmosphere for outstanding interdisciplinary research in one of the most beautiful cities of Germany.

Dresden, the capital of Saxony, possesses an extraordinarily high density of research facilities which have made Dresden a leading research site, particularly in the fields of material research, microelectronics, and biotechnology.

Applications including motivation letter, CV, should be submitted by e-mail as a single PDF document to the Department of Human Resources (with the No. 083-2017):

Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V.

Frau Susanne Otto

Leiterin Personal und Soziales

Hohe Straße 6

01069 Dresden

otto-susanne@ipfdd.de

Queries about the lab and the research project should be directed by e-mail to:

Ulrich Scheler Scheler@ipfdd.de or Uwe Lappan Lappan@ipfdd.de .

Job offer (in German)

https://www.ipfdd.de/fileadmin/user_upload/jobs/AUSS%20083%20PD%20WiMi.pdf

Best regards,

Ulrich Scheler