Jobs and Positions
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Send your announcement in a WORD file to the ISE Office (info@ise-online.org) and we will take care of the posting within 48 hours. PDF files are not accepted. The announcement will remain on the website for approximately for three (3) months.
April 2024
PhD position 2024-2027 - Marseille, France Electroenzymatic biosensor for H2 detectionLaboratory: Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering (BIP), CNRS, Aix-Marseille University
-https://bip.cnrs.fr/groups/bip08/
Context : Within the current challenge of irreversible climate change, the search for CO2-neutral energy sources and carriers is essential. Thanks to its transient storage and restitution during peaks of energy needs via fuel cells, hydrogen appears to be a sustainable solution. However, being a light and explosive gas, hydrogen represents significant risks when stored in large quantities. The installation of reliable, sensitive and miniaturized sensors is therefore required to detect possible leaks. In nature, hydrogenases are very efficient and selective enzymes for H2 oxidation. We have shown that the membrane-bound Ni-Fe hydrogenase extracted from the bacterium Aquifex aeolicus has many of the essential characteristics to meet the requirements of an electrochemical H2 sensor.
Research description : Capitalizing on our fundamental knowledge of hydrogenase-based electrodes, this Ph.D position will aim at designing a sensitive and miniaturized H2 biosensor in different environmental conditions. In particular, it will address i) How to tune the immobilization of the enzyme toward the most favorable H2 oxidation catalysis under the operating conditions required by the H2 detection biosensor; ii) Which methodologies can be developed in order to overcome H2 mass transport limitation; iii) How to determine the relationship between the enzyme surface coverage, its spatial distribution at the electrode surface and the enzymatic activity. To answer this question in situ and operando methods will be implemented, and in particular confocal fluorescence microscopy coupled to electrochemistry; iv) How to increase the stability of the bioelectrodes under storage and turnover. Various parameters (purity and origin of the enzyme, T°, ionic strength, local pH, protection by additives in solution and/or on the electrode) will be evaluated, as well as different electrode structuration and chemical functionalities able to increase the stability of the immobilized enzyme while maintaining an activity compatible with the detection of H2; v) What is the impact of the geometry of the biosensor and its miniaturization on its performance. Different sensor geometries will thus be produced by 3D printing, making it possible to bring H2 in dissolved form in a buffer electrolyte but also in gaseous form.In addition to the applicative proof of the enzymatic sensor, the research carried out as part of the thesis project will improve fundamental knowledge on enzymatic behavior in different confined environments. It will also make it possible to bridge the gap with past developments in the laboratory on enzymatic noble metal free fuel cells, by ultimately considering the self-powering of the sensor.
Ph.D skills: The candidate should have a Masters’ degree in chemistry, with major interest in analytical chemistry.Background/interest in electrochemistry, in 3D printing, and willing to work in a multidisciplinary environment are highly welcome.This Ph.D position is co-funded by Aix Marseille University (AMU) and “Agence-Innovation-Défense “(AID).European, UK and Swiss nationals can apply.
Applications: Candidates are invited to submit their CV, a motivation letter, copies of academic transcripts and degrees, and two recommendation letters by email to Elisabeth Lojou (lojou@imm.cnrs.fr). Dead line 10th May 2024
March 2024
The UNESCO Laboratory of Environmental Electrochemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic), offers a PhD student position in the study program “Analytical Chemistry”.
Project topic: Development of novel electrode materials based on conductive diamond for electroanalytical applications
Short description of the project:
Boron-doped diamond (BDD) is an outstanding electrode material promising for a lot of electrochemical applications, such as electroanalytic detection of biomarkers in vivo, electrochemical degradation of wastewater pollutants, organic electrosynthesis etc. These options are enabled by the unique combination of properties, including high mechanical and chemical robustness, biocompatibility, wide electrochemical window even in aqueous media and low background currents. Doping of diamond by boron is achieved within the process of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis and enables (semi)conductivity of this intrinsically insulating material. The joint efforts of the Laboratory in a close collaboration with Materials for Nanosystems and Biointerfaces group (Department of Functional Materials, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences) are devoted to further elaboration of conductive diamond materials, in particular nanostructured ones, characterization of their structure and electrochemical properties, as well as practical testing in electroanalytical applications.
Relevant publications of the project leader and others [1] S. Baluchová, A. Daňhel, H. Dejmková, V. Ostatná, M. Fojta, K. Schwarzová-Pecková, Anal. Chim. Acta, 1077 (2019) 30-66. [2] N.J. Yang, S.Y. Yu, J.V. Macpherson, Y. Einaga, H.Y. Zhao, G.H. Zhao, G.M. Swain, X. Jiang, Chem. Soc. Rev., 48 (2019) 157-204. [3] V. Hrdlicka, O. Matvieiev, T. Navrátil, R. Selesovská, Electrochim. Acta, 456 (2023) 142435.
Requirements:
- Completed (or expected to be completed by 31th of August, 2024) Master (or equivalent) studies in Chemistry, Physics or related disciplines.
- Working proficiency in English.
Would be seen as advantage:
- Experience in electrochemistry, chemical vapor deposition, electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and/or related technics.
- Scientific publication(s) in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Oral presentations on international conferences.
We offer:
- Study on one of the oldest and the most famous universities of Central Europe ranking among 250 best universities in the world.
- Cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in Material Science and Electrochemistry.
- Qualified supervision and friendly working environment.
- Publication of the results in highly impacted internationally recognized scientific journals.
- Possibility to earn experience in preparation of grant applications.
- Academic stipendium from Charles University and part-time employment at the Institute of Physics (ca. 1200 euro in total before taxation) with possible increase based on successful application of grant proposals by the PhD student).
- A number of options to maintain work-life balance, including flexible working schedule and home office work.
- Living in a cozy green medium-sized European city with excellent infrastructure and a lot of options for leisure and cultural activities.
- For foreign applicants: support with the immigration procedure formalities.
How to apply:
Please send you CV, list of publications (if present) and contact information of two referees (your previous supervisors, senior colleagues, eventually university teachers who could characterize your performance in university studies and/or scientific research) to Dr. Anton Lytvynenko (anton.lytvynenko@natur.cuni.cz) not later than 10th of April, 2024. The best applicants will be invited to an online interview with the group leader Assoc. Prof. Karolina Schwarzová-Pecková. A successful candidate will apply for the PhD study at the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University and pass regular exams necessary for the enrollment (in June 2024).
March 2024
The UNESCO Laboratory of Environmental Electrochemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic) offers a PhD student position in the study program Analytical Chemistry.
Project topic: Development of electrochemical sensors based on conductive diamond electrodes
Short description of the project:
Sp3 (diamond) carbon-based materials hold an eminent position in electrochemistry, a discipline which has a range of applications from laboratory to industrial scale and from analytical science to energy storage. Typically, their conductivity is achieved by incorporation of boron atoms in the diamond lattice during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) preparation procedure. The advantageous properties of boron doped diamond (BDD) include biocompatibility, wide potential window, low background current, and low proclivity to adsorption, thus this material represents a suitable platform for biosensors construction. For this purpose, surface structuring or modification is required for the successful attachment of biomolecules. The objectives of the project include intentional structuring of BDD surfaces (e.g., using ultra-fast laser technologies) or modification of the surface (introduction of oxygen-containing groups, electrochemical grafting for efficient attachment of organic molecules bearing (-NH2, -COOH groups)) suitable for binding of biomolecules such as proteins or DNA, thus allowing biosensor development. Within this context, complex physico-chemical characterization of the parent and structured/modified BDD surfaces using spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques will be performed to study the interplay between the surface and bulk properties of BDD, and electrochemical performance. The project will be solved in close cooperation with Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Materials for Nanosystems and Biointerfaces group, Dr. Andrew Taylor)) providing BDD thin films.
Relevant publications of the project leader and others [1] S. Baluchová, A. Daňhel, H. Dejmková, V. Ostatná, M. Fojta, K. Schwarzová-Pecková, Anal. Chim. Acta, 1077 (2019) 30-66. [2] N.J. Yang, S.Y. Yu, J.V. Macpherson, Y. Einaga, H.Y. Zhao, G.H. Zhao, G.M. Swain, X. Jiang, Chem. Soc. Rev., 48 (2019) 157-204. [3] V. Hrdlicka, O. Matvieiev, T. Navrátil, R. Selesovská, Electrochim. Acta, 456 (2023) 142435.
Requirements:
- Completed (or expected to be completed by August 31th 2024 Master (or equivalent) studies in Chemistry or Physics or related disciplines
- Working proficiency in English.
Would be seen as advantage:
- Experience in electrochemistry, chemical vapor deposition, electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and/or related technics.
- Scientific publication(s) in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Oral presentations on international conferences.
We offer:
- Study on one of the oldest and the most famous universities of Central Europe ranking among 250 best universities in the world.
- Cutting-edge multidisciplinary research in Material Science and Electrochemistry.
- Qualified supervision and friendly working environment.
- Publication of the results in highly impacted internationally recognized scientific journals.
- Possibility to earn experience in preparation of grant applications.
- Academic stipendium and part-time employment at Charles University (ca € 1000 brutto in total) with possible increase based on successful application of grant proposals by the PhD student).
- A number of options to maintain work-life balance, including flexible working schedule and home office work.
- Living in a cozy green medium-sized European city with excellent infrastructure and a lot of options for leisure and cultural activities.
- For foreign applicants: support with the immigration procedure formalities.
How to apply:
Please send you CV, list of publications (if applicable) and contact information of two referees (your previous supervisors, senior colleagues, eventually university teachers who could characterize your performance in university studies and/or scientific research) to Dr. Anton Lytvynenko (anton.lytvynenko@natur.cuni.cz) not later than 10th April. The best applicants will be invited to an online interview with the group leader Assoc. Prof. Karolina Schwarzová-Pecková. A successful candidate will apply for the PhD study at the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University and pass regular exams necessary for the enrollment (in June 2024).