We offer the topics given below.
In all PhD and master theses, in-house laboratory experiments are combined with investigations at large-scale facilities (e.g. FRM-II, ILL, DESY and ELETTRA).
PhD position vacant: Complex, self-assembled hydrogels for 3D bioprinting
You are interested in the applications of polymers for biomedical applications and the underlying physical aspects? In your PhD time, you wish to learn methods from dynamic light scattering over small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering and the quantitative modeling of such scattering patterns? Then work with us on the question how one can design hydrogels for 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering using complex thermoresponsive block copolymers! For details see here.
PhD position vacant: All charged up about polymers!
You are interested in nanotechnology and its underlying physical aspects? In your PhD time, you wish to learn methods from atomic force microscopy over grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to the quantitative modeling of such scattering patterns? Then work with us on the question how one can use complex, electrically charged block copolymers to design polymer thin films whose nanostructure can be varied in a wide range! For details see here.
Master theses
Nanoparticles from proteins and polysaccharides. We offer a master thesis about nanoparticles from hemoglobin and chondroitin sulfate. Such system are of interest as nanocarriers in medicine and for the functionalization of food with nutrients. In the project, nanoparticles from these substances shall be prepared and stabilized. Moreover, they shall be loaded with model substances. Their size and stability shall be investigated with light scattering and their inner structure with small-angle X-ray scattering at the synchrotron. The candiate should have knowledge of polymer and or biophysics and should be interested in experimental work.
All charged up about multiblock copolymers!
Self-assembled block copolymers in thin film geometry offer opportunities to design nanometric features with controlled periodicities. Precise control over their morphology and long-range order is essential for their applications, e.g. nanolithography. Using multiblock copolymers allows for a plethora of structures. In the thesis, symmetric ABCBA pentablock terpolymers shall be studied during solvent vapor annealing (SVA), which allows to modulate the interaction between the blocks and thus the structures and periodicities. The project primarily involves the in-situ investigation of the thin films during SVA using various atomic force microscopies (AFM). The ideal candidate should have a background in polymer physics and an interest in hands-on experiments, in particular surface-probe techniques.
Switchable polymers under pressure.
Thermoresponsive polymers in aqueous solution are soluble at low temperatures and become suddenly water-insoluble above a certain temperature, the so-called cloud point. This temperature is reduced, when a second, organic solvent is added, even when this is a good solvent for the polymer. The so-called co-nonsolvency effect is reversed when pressure is applied, which may be due to the interaction between the polymer, water and the co-solvent. In the master thesis, phase diagrams of novel thermoresponsive polymers in the presence of different cosolvents shall be measured in the temperature-pressure frame using turbidimetry. Dynamic light scattering under pressure shall be used to investigate the chain conformation in the presence of cosolvent and under pressure. This way, the molecular origin of the switching process shall be elucidated. The ideal candidate should have a background in polymer physics and an interest in hands-on experiments, in particular scattering techniques.