Postdoctoral position on graphene coating of biomedical surfaces

Information about the project
This 18-month postdoctoral position is offered to a qualified expert to work on an exciting project in collaboration between the Chalmers University of Technology (Mijakovic and Westerlund laboratories) and Wellspect Healthcare, the second largest global manufacturer of intermittent hydrophilic catheters. The objective of the project is to evaluate the possibility to use graphene as an antibacterial coating for medically relevant surfaces. The postdoctoral fellow will be hired by both Chalmers and Wellspect Healthcare (double affiliation) and is expected to work in a highly interdisciplinary, inter-sectorial and international environment.

This position is an excellent opportunity for those seeking to explore the interface between the academia and industry, with possibilities for mobility in either direction.

Relevant links:
Mijakovic lab: http://www.sysbio.se/Lab_Mijakovic/IM_lab.html
Westerlund lab: http://www.chalmers.se/en/Staff/Pages/fredrik-westerlund.aspx
Wellspect Healthcare: http://www.wellspect.se/
The Chalmers Graphene Centre: http://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/graphene/Pages/default.aspx 

Major responsibilities
The candidate will carry out the following activities:
i) Developing procedures for coating various surfaces (thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethanes, silicone rubber, metals) with graphene.
ii) Testing the graphene-coated surfaces for the ability to repel bacterial biofilms.
iii) Testing the ability of graphene-coated surfaces to detect biofilm attachment, and act as quantitative biosensors for early stages of bacterial infection.

Parts of the project will pertain to the synthesis of graphene sheets optimized for coating and will be carried out in collaboration with the Chalmers Graphene Centre. Characterization of interaction of graphene with bacterial biofilms will be done in the Mijakovic lab, and development of coating procedures and further evaluation of material properties will be performed at Wellspect Healthcare. The candidate will interact closely with two other postdoctoral fellows hired by the consortium: one focusing mainly on graphene production and another focusing on the biology of the interaction between bacteria and graphene.

Position summary
Full-time employment on a temporary contract: 18 months.

Qualifications
The candidate is expected to possess:
i) a PhD degree and advanced skills in graphene chemistry or chemistry of other advanced carbon-based materials (candidates with different backgrounds are encouraged to apply, but this particular profile will be prioritized)
ii) a high level of independence and self-management skills
iii) excellent communication and team-working skills
iv) proficiency in spoken and written English (capacity for autonomous writing of research papers)

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

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20150234 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.


Application deadline: August 15, 2015

For questions, please contact:
Professor Ivan Mijakovic,
Systems and Synthetic Biology,
ivan.mijakovic@chalmers.se

Doctor Martin Lovmar,
Wellspect Healthcare,
martin.lovmar@wellspect.com

Associate Professor Fredrik Westerlund,
Chemical Biology,
fredrik.westerlund@chalmers.se

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



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!