Job details

Place of work

Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS

Funding institution

National Science Centre of Poland (NCN)

Project description

Project title, type and project number

Paper and other fibrous materials as micro/nanomolds for deposition on electrodes surface molecularly imprinted polymers of developed surface, 27/2021

Project leader

dr Maciej Cieplak

Description

According to L. C. Pauling, a two noble prize winner, the secret of life is hidden in molecular recognition, that is the ability of one molecule to “recognize” another through weak bonding interactions. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are tailor made recognizing materials that can mimic recognition of biological receptors. They outperform these natural receptors in several aspects including durability, chemical stability, and low production costs. If used for chemosensors fabrication, they should be deposited on transducers surfaces as thin films to facilitate analyte binding close to this surface. Novel techniques of MIP deposition as thin films, surface development of MIP these films, or introduction of unique properties are very much demanded in terms of selective and sensitive chemosensors fabrication.

Therefore, in recent years special attention has been paid to syntheses of micro- and nanostructured MIPs. Sacrificial mold synthesis is the method that offers the most precise control over the structure of the synthesized nanometrials. This synthesis involves MIP deposition inside porous materials, i.e., colloidal crystals of silica and polymer 

spherical beads. Then, the mold is removed resulting in pending nanostructured MIP deposition in the form of micro-/nanorods, filaments, stripes or dots. This nanostructuring provides significant MIP surface development and, consequently, enhances MIP chemosensor sensitivity, detectability, and shortens its response time.

Within this project new methods of micro- and nanostructured MIP films deposition will be introduced. For that purpose, cellulose paper and other inexpensive fibrous materials, namely cellulose acetate filter membranes, fabric or cotton wool will be applied as the sacrificial molds. Moreover, we will apply these films for devising selective chemosensors for selected antibiotics and hormones, that pollute food products.

Job description

Number of vacancies

1

Key responsibilities include

  • Elaboration of conductive polymers and noble metals deposition inside of the micro-/nanomolds.
  • Evaluation of conductive polymers mechanism in concise environments.
  • Syntheses and characterization of micro-/nanostructured conductive polymer films.
  • Application of above elaborated deposition methods for micro-/nanostructured molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) films synthesis on electrode surfaces.
  • Application of nano-/microstructured MIP film coated electrodes for selective chemosensors fabrication
  • Testing of the devised MIP-chemosensors.
  • Preparation of scientific publications as well as presentations of the results at scientific and popular science conferences.
  • Cooperation with team members
Offer

Position in the project

PhD student – scholarship position

Job type

Scholarship

Salary

We offer 4200 PLN* per month scholarship financed by the NCN SONATA 14 Project No. 2018/31/D/ST5/02890. The position is scheduled for a period of 24 months.

Position starts on

1.10.2021

Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement

24 months

We offer

  • Work in the outstanding scientific institution in the dynamic research group with members representing diverse interests and qualifications – see details on the website:  http://groups.ichf.edu.pl/sharma
  • Participation in international conferences and Erasmus+ projects

Career development prospects at IPC PAS

Pursuing PhD degree

Requirements

Scientific discipline

Supramolecular chemistry, Electrochemistry, Polymer chemistry, Nanotechnology, Analytical Chemistry

Scientific profile of a candidate

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Requirements

1.  Candidate should have Master degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy, material engineering or related sciences or to be student of fifth year of mentioned above sciences with fixed date of Master thesis defence.

2.  Having status of the PhD student before starting work within the Project.

3.  Ability to work independently as well as in a group.

4.  Sufficient knowledge in such fields as electrochemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry or nanotechnology.

5.  Experience in molecular imprinting or sensors will be welcome.

6.  Basic knowledge of nanotechnology will be appreciated.

7.  Proficiency in English speaking and writing

Key assessment criteria

  • competences of candidates for specific tasks in a research project,
  • previous scientific achievements of candidates,
  • awards and distinctions of the candidate resulting from the conducted research
Required documents
  • motivation letter
  • scientific curriculum vitae, including a list of scientific achievements (scholarships, publications, patents, conference presentations, etc.).
  • recommendation letter
  • Copy of document confirming having Master degree or being a student of fifth year of mentioned above sciences with fixed date of Master thesis defense.
Recruitment procedure

The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the NSC regulations: „Regulamin przyznawania stypendiów naukowych w projektach badawczych finansowanych ze środków narodowego centrum nauki"

www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2016/uchwala96_2016-zal1.pdf and in accordance with the Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS (https://ichf.edu.pl/files/intranet/employment-policy.pdf )

How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;

IMPORTANT: email title “Rekrutacja nr 27/2021”;

Application Details:

  • Envisaged Job Starting Date: 1st of October, 2021.
  • Application Deadline: 18th of August, 2021
  • How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;
  • IMPORTANT: email title “Rekrutacja nr 27/2021”;
  • Additionally, if the applicant does not have a status of PhD student in Poland according to  NCN  regulation “Regulations  for  awarding  NCN  scholarships  for  NCN-funded research projects"(Annex to Resolution No 25/2019 of the NCN Council, 14.03.2019), to be eligible, the applicant is required to submit simultaneously their application to the online recruitment system of Warszawska Szkoła Doktorska Nauk Ścisłych i BioMedycznych” [Warsaw Doctoral School “Warsaw-4-PhD” http://warsaw4phd.pl] between 04th August and 18th of August 2021 (follow updates within the Candidates → Admission section).
  • More details about the recruitment for „Warszawska Szkoła Doktorska Nauk Ścisłych i BioMedycznych”: https://warsaw4phd.eu/en/admissions/

Linked topic of the thesis:

3.6 Paper and other fibrous materials as micro/nanomolds for deposition on electrodes surface molecularly imprinted polymers of developed surface.

  • The best applicants who meet the competition requirements will be invited for an interview (on-site or online) at 23rd August – 3rd September 2021 at the IPC-PAS.
  • Moreover, interview for those candidates who applied to Warsaw-4-PhD School will be performed at 6rh September – 16th September 2021, at Warsaw-4-PhD School.  

The Commission will take into account the following criteria:

a) competences of candidates for specific tasks in a research project,

b) previous scientific achievements of candidates,

c) awards and distinctions of the candidate resulting from the conducted research.

  • The commission will evaluate applications on a point scale.
  • The scholarship will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.
  • The results of the competition are made public
  • If the chosen candidate will resign before signing the contract, another person from the list of candidates may be selected.
  • Scheduled date of starting work within the Project: October 1st, 2021 and the necessary condition is that successful candidates need to have the status of PhD student before starting work within the Project.
Additional information

Application Details:

  • Envisaged Job Starting Date: 1st of October, 2021.
  • Application Deadline: 18th of August, 2021
  • How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;
  • IMPORTANT: email title “Rekrutacja nr 27/2021”;

Required Languages: English, Language level: good

*under the condition that according to NCN regulations regarding SONATA 14 call a total amount of remuneration and scholarships received from the NCN funded source does not exceed 4 500 PLN per month. Scholarships funded within ETIUDA call are excluded from the above limit.

Additionally, candidates who will be admitted to “Warsaw-4-PhD” school will be renumerated accordingly to the PhD school regulations. 

The competition will be settled after the Doctoral School recruitment results are published.

Deadlines

Application deadline

18.08.2021 18:00

Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.

Date of announcement: 29.07.2021

See also

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