Abscission and self-repair in biological and artificial materials systems

Doctoral Position in the Area of Polymer Science

The project Abscission and self-repair in biological and artificial materials systems deals with strategies for the generation of durable materials systems. Within this project, the doctoral candidate will investigate “shedding” concepts which represent a way living materials systems can cope with damage, either induced by wear or by acute mechanical damage such as scratches and cuts. The concept makes use of the dissolution of sacrificial layers, which provide the adhesion of the functional layer to the substrate below. Access of the dissolution agent (mostly water) to the sacrificial layer will be limited by the generation of a specifically designed geometry. We will investigate the process of shedding and restoring functionality on a local scale and study the performance of the obtained systems.

Applicants must have a MSc or equal degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or related fields. Excellent skills in the domain of polymer science are expected. Enthusiasm for top-quality research and good oral and written English communication skills are a must.

The position will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rühe. Applications are closed as of June 4^th 2019.

Doctoral position in the Area of Biology, Biomechanics or Biophysics

In the framework of a biomimetic bottom-up approach, biological studies will include an initial screening and an in-depth quantitative analysis of suitable role models to learn exemplarily from biological material separation (e.g. abscission) as to functional morphology and biomechanics. On the basis of closely related plant species which can in some species easily, in other species not at all, abscise plant parts, the structural basis for these features shall be analyzed quantitatively and comparatively. Morphological and anatomical analyses in conjunction with test series of global and local mechanical properties (under varying environmental conditions such as e.g. water supply) will be used to identify the relevant key parameters of separation or long-term connection of biological materials systems for further modeling and development of bioinspired materials systems. In an interdisciplinary collaboration with project partners from various scientific disciplines, modelling and simulations will be carried out, technical materials systems will be designed, and manufactured and material ontologies will be created.

Applicants must hold a M.Sc. in the fields of biology, biomechanics or biophysics. Key competences for understanding the structure-function-relationships in plants are quantitative analyses based on morphological-anatomical and biomechanical experiments. Knowledge and experience in histo-chemical procedures, imaging methods (e.g. LM, TEM, SEM, µ-CT, 3D-analyses with ARAMIS) as well as multi-scale mechanical testing, a good knowledge about plant diversity, and experience in the field of statistical analyses will be greatly appreciated. Essential tasks are the data preparation for later modelling and contribution to the development of bioinspired materials systems within the interdisciplinary cooperation of the project partners.

The position will be supervised by Dr. Olga Speck.

Applications are closed as of December 31^st 2018.

Doctoral position in the Area of Polymer Science

The project requires the development of multilayer systems from polymers with different solubilities such that one layer acts as the active layer and the other layer as a sacrificial layer which dissolves after damage and releases the damaged layer. This concept requires the synthesis of the polymeric materials and their deposition in multilayers. Also, microstructuring techniques need to be developed to generate appropriate surface architectures in the context of the project.

Candidates should hold an M.Sc. degree in Chemistry or Materials Science or related fields. Excellent skills in the domain of polymer science are expected. Enthusiasm for top-quality research and good oral and written English communication skills are a must.

The position will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rühe

Applications are closed as of December 17^th 2018.