PhD in Development of New Implant Materials to Prevent Infections

This PhD position at the division of Applied Chemistry will offer you the possibility to become a skilled researcher in the field of biomaterials. The work will be performed in a dedicated team of experienced researchers with complementary backgrounds and includes the possibility to formulate new materials and have them evaluated for clinical applications. If you are a creative and curious person wanting to take part in the future development of medical devices, this is the position for you.

Project description
The surface of medical devices such as implants play a major role in the integration process and several surface modifications have been clinically introduced. However, novel surfaces designed for improved integration may also be prone to bacterial colonization, resulting in that highly integrating materials could possess higher risks for biomaterial associated infection (BAI), leading to a status quo or even poorer outcome over the life span of the implant. As a consequence, it is important that also bacterial interactions are taken into account when new implant surface modifications are translated into the clinic. One of the aims of this project is to develop new implant surfaces that selectively promote desired tissue formation and at the same time prevents bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. The strategies to achieve this will be to use nanochemistry based approaches to structurally and chemically design surfaces, that may or may not be activated externally to induce an antibacterial effect.

The division of Applied Chemistry
At the division of Applied Chemistry at the department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering we develop new materials for a broad range of applications including materials for energy conversion and storage, analytical sensing, pharmaceutical administration and medical implants. The work is highly interdisciplinary in nature and often involving biological, physical and medicinal sciences in addition to chemistry.

Major responsibilities
During your education as a PhD student, you will communicate the results from your project by publishing articles in relevant peer-reviewed international scientific journals and by participating in national and international meetings and conferences. Within the daily work as a PhD student, our ambition is that you will find variation and interact with not only other PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, but also undergraduate students, senior researchers and professors.

Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding up to 20 per cent of working hours.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
The most important qualification is your desire to devotedly conduct interdisciplinary research at the crossroads between materials chemistry and biology. You have a Master’s degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in chemistry, materials science, physics, biology, or equivalent. You appreciate to work experimentally, but also with theoretical tools. Previous experience of working with cells and bacteria is meritorious.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=9403

Application deadline: 29 April, 2021