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.

Description

- 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.

Benefits

- 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). The programme is funded by ERC StG “StomaMotor” 0 - 3831