Pracownik naukowy / doktorant, (PhD position in physics)

Job description

PhD position at AMU, Poznań. Experimental research in physics (also partially in material science/chemistry)

Objectives:

This is an experimental research with the following objectives: (i) development of methods of fabrication of patchy colloidosomes and hybrid patchy colloidal capsules; (ii) understanding of the mechanism of complex deformation of patchy colloidal capsules, e.g., crumpling, elastic deformation, viscoelastic relaxation, shell unjamming, shell tearing, etc.; (iii) developing routes for specific and targeted release of encapsulated species from patchy colloidosomes; and (iv) researching on the guided-motion, self-propulsion and collective behaviour of patchy colloidosomes.

General information on the project

A microcapsule, i.e., a small and usually round structure with a relatively stable shell, can be used for storage, transportation, and release of cargo species such as drugs, dyes, flavourings, living organisms, etc. These tiny containers can be composed of different synthetic or natural materials, including microgels, polymer macromolecules, block copolymers, proteins, colloidal particles, and other materials.

The microcapsules composed of colloidal particles are often called colloidosomes. The research field related to colloidosomes started to blossom several years ago, and many scientific advances have been demonstrated. However, most of the effort was dedicated to the investigation of homogenous colloidosomes,
i.e., microcapsules with a shell composed of only one type of material. Researchers know that the functionality of the colloidosomes can be greatly extended if the capsules are designed to have heterogeneous shells—i.e., one or more regions (patches) of a shell is composed of material with specific properties that differ from the rest of the shell. Such patchy colloidosomes possess advantageous properties when compared with their homogenous counterparts. For example, owing to specific interactions between patches, they can either self-assemble into complex structures; specifically adhere to a surface; release their cargo species in a specific direction; or guided-align, -orient, or -propel; and these are the properties I will explore as part of the proposed research.

By launching the proposed project, I wish to both broaden the current knowledge and also open new areas within the field of soft-matter science related to microcapsules. The high level of novelty inherent in the proposed project translates directly into the significant impact of the project results on the development of the research field and related scientific disciplines. Developing a new understanding of the basic physical properties and processes in such soft and complex matter systems is one of the aspects with a formidable potential for materials development. Thus, the proposed studies on universal problems have practical relevance to fields of actual importance to society, ranging from material science (e.g., the self-assembling of patchy colloidal microcapsules into suprastructures); micro- and nano-technology (e.g., patchy colloidosomes used for templating scaffolds and porous materials); pharmaceutics (e.g., patchy colloidal microcapsules for drug transportation and release); and the paint industry (e.g., in wood protectors—used for the slow, targeted release of active ingredients to prevent, for example, fungi growth), etc.

Requirements

Requirements

• The successful applicant should have a background in one or several of the following fields: Physics, physical chemistry, materials science, nano materials science and technology, and/or new material development. Computational and programming skills are welcomed, likewise the basic knowledge of electronics.
• The PhD position requires spoken and written fluency in the English language. It is preferred that the applicant documents his/her level in English, preferably by presenting an official language test report. The acceptable tests are TOEFL, IELTS, CAE.

We offer

Duration: 3 years (12.2016 – 12.2019)

Salary: 3000 PLN (stipend) + sufficient budget for training, conferences, etc. 

Remuneration

Od 3000 do 3000 PLN