Dresden, Saxony
The Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e. V. (IPF) develops innovations in materials science for the fields of resources, health and information. The IPF employs about 500 people in five scientific institutes, administration and technical services. New topics and methods are increasingly explored in flexible research structures such as independent junior groups. The IPF is certified as a family-friendly employer according to the Audit berufundfamilie®. Further information can be found at www.ipfdd.de.
The IPF-Institute of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, the Research Division Ekectronic Tissue Technologies is looking for a Post-doctoral research fellow 40 hours per week to work on project "Organic materials for next generation bioelectronic devices".
Project Description:
Today electronic systems are proficient at handling information, physical interactions with the environment and can perform complex tasks autonomously and intelligently. However electronic systems are not yet very good at direct communication with living matter. This may be because electronic systems are incompatible with water (the major constituent of life). For example, for a silicon chip, sensor, power source or an electrode to work inside the body, it has to be insulated from moisture by thick protective layers. This makes it challenging to engineering medical bioelectronic implants, brain machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics that are well tolerated inside the body. Metals, semiconductors and plastics are unlikely to fulfil this vision due to their mechanical stiffness, susceptibility to corrosion and delamination and lack of biological function. In this project we will ask the question: can an entirely new set of materials help us to build bioelectronic devices and systems that are virtually indistinguishable from living matter? We will contribute to the development of a new class of materials known as conductive hydrogels. They are soft, made from more than 90% water and can conduct both ionic and electronic charges. We will explore blending conductive polymers (e.g. polythiophenes) with biomacromolecules found in the extracellular matrix of tissues. We will explore novel monomers, polymerisation techniques to assemble the materials as well as microfabrication technologies to build devices such as electrode or sensor arrays. An advanced aim will be to create devices whose biological function can be switched using electronic commands. They will be tested in cell cultures or in vivo as implants.
We offer you a varied and interesting challenge in an international working environment and appropriate remuneration. The remuneration and social benefits (including a company pension scheme, job ticket, flexible family-friendly working hours and job-related further training) are based on the qualifications in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (EG 13 TV-L).
The adcertised position can also be filled on a part-time basis.
Date of entry
01.10.2024
Time limit
2 years (option of extension)
Hohe Straße 6
01069 Dresden
Saxony
Germany