Responsibilities

An ERC Postdoctoral Research Assistant position is available within the Cluster for Molecules and Materials at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands to perform innovative research in the area of catalytic nanomotors under the leadership of Dr Daniela A. Wilson.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will design, synthesize and characterize supramolecular catalytic nanomotors, using amphiphilic block copolymers as building blocks and active catalysts to provide the driving force for autonomous movement. You will further study the mechanism of movement of the supramolecular nanomotors and their collective locomotive behaviour in the presence of a chemical attractant. The constructed nanomotors will be tested for various concepts and applications: self-assembled nanomotors with stimuli responsive valves, nanomotors for sensoring devices, nanomotors for selective transport of cargo and kinesin biomimetic supramolecular nanomotors. You will communicate your findings through papers in peer-reviewed research journals and oral presentations at international scientific conferences. You will also be involved in the teaching and training of BSc and MSc students and in the supervision of student internships.

Work environment

The Cluster for Molecular Chemistry atRadboud University is located in the Huygens Building, which houses a large number of state-of-the-art chemistry labs. You will have access to a broad range of instrumentation for spectroscopic analysis: UV-VIS, Fluorescence, circular dichroism, FTIR, HPLC, GC, 3 NMRs, and an extensive mass spectrometry facility (GC/MS, EI, CI, FAB, ESI and MALDI), as well as access to the general instruments within the department including electron microscopy (TEM, SEM and next generation cryo-TEM), FPLC and fluorescence microscopy facilities. Dynamic Complex Systems is one of the priority areas of the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) and the University. The organic chemistry group recently received a €26.9 million Gravity subsidy to perform excellence research as part of a consortium of three Dutch universities. The ERC starting grant awarded to Dr Daniela Wilson enabled the development of a new research line involving catalytic complex nanomotors. The aim of this research is to harness a new approach to construct biocompatible nanomotors, and to obtain a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of propulsive movement.

What we expect from you

- a PhD degree in chemistry, polymer chemistry or a related field in soft matter physics, nanochemistry or nanotechnology;
- research experience in synthetic organic chemistry and polymer chemistry;
- very good instrumentation skills for characterization and analysis (GPC, GPC-MALLS, HPLC, MALDI-Tof, NMR, IR, UV-VIS, TEM, SEM, DLS, Fluorescence, Confocal, etc);
- preferably laboratory research experience gained in a foreign country (not obligatory);
- enthusiasm, perseverance, creativity, patience and critical thinking;
- self-driven and self-motivated attitude;
- excellent communication and writing skills, team spirit;

- excellent computer and software skills;
- fluency in English.

What we have to offer

We offer you:
- employment: 1,0 fte;
- a maximum gross monthly salary of € 3,831 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 10);
- in addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
- preferred start date: no later than May 2014;
- you will be classified as a Postdoctoral Researcher 4 in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO).