PhD student position in antibacterial nanocomposites

General information about the project
PEST-BIN is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovation Training Network (ITN), funded by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 Program. Commencing its activities in January 2021, the Network will provide PhD training to 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs).

Consortium objectives
Antibiotic resistance has been named as one of the greatest threats to global health by the World Health Organization. There are increasing numbers of bacterial infections not responding to known antibiotics. The humanity needs to pioneer disruptive technologies to re-gain the upper hand. To do so, PEST-BIN mobilizes six universities, three research institutes, a hospital and five private companies with one common mission: to pioneer novel technologies to fight bacterial infections. Our network will combine very diverse tools: from nano-engineering, antibiotic discovery and production, via proteomics-based diagnostics to big data analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) – all of which will be contribute to new, interdisciplinary technologies. All PEST-BIN ESRs will be trained in an intersectoral environment – experiencing a tight collaboration among academia, healthcare and the private sector.

Information about the division
The position will be based at the Division of Engineering Materials, Department of Industrial and Materials Science at Chalmers with main secondments at Wellspect Healthcare. The Division of Engineering Materials is broadly centered on the relationship between technological materials microstructure and their mechanical properties. Specifically, the Kádár Group of the division works in the general area of Rheology and Processing of Soft Matter. Current research activities are centered around three topics: (i) flow-field filler interaction in nanostructured fluids, (ii) multifunctional properties in polymer nanocomposites and (iii) advanced rheological characterization and method development.

Wellspect Healthcare, with headquarters in Mölndal, Sweden, is a leading global provider of innovative medical devices with a focus on helping people suffering from urinary retention or chronic constipation. Wellspect Healthcare has 1100 employees and a presence in more than 30 countries.

Major responsibilities
The PhD position at Engineering Materials will include the following research- and technology tasks:
A PhD student to develop a new class of antibacterial surfaces based on polymer graphene nanocomposites into biomedical devices is sought. The project builds on recent research in which surfaces that eliminate 99.9999% of bacterial attachment have been developed. At fundamental level, the achieved effects are an interplay between material properties, field – material interactions and pre- and post-treatment procedures. The challenge is to transfer the bactericidal nanostructures into optimal compositions and scalable procedures. Therefore, developments related to the matrix polymer, including from sustainability point of view, nanofillers, flow properties and processing will be key for a successful technological transfer of the new class of high-performance antibacterial surfaces to a broad range of medical device applications.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. You are expected to complete a PhD degree in 4 years, which may extend to a maximum of 5 years when including teaching or other tasks (<20%)

Qualifications
Applicants can be of any nationality. PEST-BIN supports a balanced gender representation by promoting genuine equal access opportunities throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, ESRs must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of appointment.

To be considered an ESR, at the time of recruitment by the host, the candidates must be in the first four years (full- time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate (typically a MSc degree).

Applicants must have a diploma (or obtain a diploma before their employment starts) granting access to doctoral studies (typically a MSc degree). To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field such as Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Other backgrounds will also be considered.


Application procedure
For more information and to apply, please go to this webpage

Application deadline: 1 Februari, 2021



For questions, please contact:
Roland Kádár, Engineering Materials, Industrial and Materials Science, roland.kadar@chalmers.se ,
Tel: +46(0)31-772 1256

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***