Position for Doctoral Researchers (f/m/d) within the Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O)

Job advertisement
Within the Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O), which is supported by the DFG (German Research Foundation) as part of the Excellence Strategy, there is

1 open position for Doctoral Researchers (f/m/d)

In the group of Prof. Levkin (www.levkingroup.com) we are looking for a PhD candidate for an exciting project on 3D printing of multifunctional polymer structures.

Project description:

The project will include: a. development of novel polymer-based “inks” for 3D printing of multifunctional materials; b. surface and materials characterization; c. various applications of micro-nano structured 3D printed objects including tissue engineering (in collaboration), superhydrophobicity and special wettability.

One of the key goals of the project is combining the advantages of 3D-printing with the additional functionality of the inks. The development of new inks will include exploring the wide range of the uv-polymerizable monomers and their composites, as well as the use of new functional solvents (fluorinated alcohols, fatty acids, natural and silicone oils). The use of a solvent not only as a medium for polymerization but as an additional functional part of the printable ink is not yet fully explored and is perspective in various directions, which are: 1) combining 3D macro-ordering with micro-/nano-structuring through polymerization‐induced phase separation, 2) mechanically and chemically tolerant polymers, 3) conductive polymers, 4) bio-compatible yet lipophilic polymer scaffolds.

As much as additive technologies help to shape the material in any required form, they open new horizons for 4D materials, the state of which changes in a controllable and optionally reversed manner. The change of chemical, physical and mechanical properties over time leads to the transition from static polymers to dynamic multifunctional materials. By combination of various approaches, it becomes possible to develop novel multifunctional materials, where additive technology is applied to: 1) the materials with specific properties: from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic, from continues visco-elastic to solid nano-porous; 2) the materials with controllable temporal and spatial response; 3) new bio-tolerant and bio-compatible polymers for cell- and tissue scaffolds.

Requirements:

Requirements for the application include a degree (MSc or equivalent) with above-average marks in a participating or related field as well as openness to interdisciplinary work for Doctoral Researchers.

• CV
• School and University (as applicable: Bsc, MSc) certificates
• Transcripts (BSc and MSc)
• Cover Letter
• Letter of Motivation & Abstract of Research Interest

Contact: Pavel Levkin, levkin@kit.edu

3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O)
Cluster of Excellence of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) & Heidelberg University
www.3dmm2o.de