PhD in Metallic and biomimetic Nano-Catalysts for Glucose Fuel Cells,Germany

Position: PhD fellowship (funding secured for 3-4 years) is immediately available only for an applicant who lives currently in Germany or in EU countries, in the research training group (Graduiertenkolleg GRK 1322 „Micro Energy Harvesting“), supported by the German research foundation (DFG) in connection with University of Freiburg.

Responsibilities: for B1 project entitled “Metallic and biomimetic Nano-Catalysts for Glucose Fuel Cells”. The study will use water-in-oil microemulsion method to prepare monometallic or bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) supported on different carbon nanostructures as nanocatalysts for one-compartment biofuel cell applications. The synergistic effect of supported bimetallic NPs or other nanohybrid systems can be utilized to have tolerant catalysts in mixed-reactant fuel cells. Mechanistic investigation of reaction products detected by the chromatographic analysis will give insight into fundamental aspects of catalysis, allowing comparison different catalysts in terms of high electrocatalytic efficiency in physiological condition.
Innovative research may also be focused at the nanoscale or molecular level. Examples of possible research emphases include the following areas: nanomaterials, biocatalysis, immo-bilization techniques (e.g. layer-by-layer self assembly of enzymes/ electron transfer mediator on electrode surface), electrochemical engineering, and nanotechnology.

We offer excellent working conditions and a state-of-the-art infrastructure in a highly dynamic and international environment at the forefront of research which is a hallmark of the research training group (GRK 1322 „Micro Energy Harvesting“) and laboratory for sensors at IMTEK. This opens the door to your scientific career. Collaborations with a network of excellent partner universities in different countries have been established.

Qualifications and skills:
• Recently finished an academic degree (Master degree, German Diploma or equivalent) in chemistry, physics or materials engineering is required with demonstrated capability and success in developing research at the interface of engineering and electrochemical/biochemical sciences.
• A strong background in chemistry and previous experience with electrochemical techniques is welcome.
• Highly motivated, fluent in English, good practical laboratory capabilities, and enthusiastic attitude.
• Have good interpersonal communication skills, especially with other PhD students within our research training group (Micro Energy Harvesting), and would excel in the multidisciplinary research environment.

Application: Send a single PDF via e-mail in German or English to Dr.-Ing. Laith Hussein(laith.hussein@fmf.uni-freiburg.de) including: (i) a covering letter (ii) detailed curriculum vitae (iii) a short description of previous research (1-2 Pages). (iv) two letters of recommendation or the names and contact details of two potential academic referees.

Reply by: The position is immediately available and the applications will be evaluated continuously until the position is filled. More details on the project and about our research group can be found at: http://www.imtek.de/MEH .

Anfangsdatum: 29. August 2012

geschätzte Dauer:       36 months

Bezahlung: ca. 1465 €/ month (tax-free)

Veröffentlichungen:
1. L. Hussein, G. A. Urban, M. Krueger, Fabrication and characterization of buckypaper-based nanostructured electrodes as a novel material for biofuel cell applicationsw, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13, 2011, 5831-5839.

2. L. Hussein, S. Rubenwolf, F. von Stetten, G. Urban, R. Zengerle, M. Krueger, S. Kerzenmacher, A highly efficient buckypaper-based electrode material for mediatorless laccase-catalyzed dioxygen reduction, Biosensors and Bioelectronics 26, 2011, 4133–4138.

3. L. Hussein, Y. J. Feng, N. Alonso-Vante, G. Urban, M. Krueger, Functionalized-Carbon Nanotube Supported Electrocatalysts and Buckypaper-based Biocathodes for Glucose Fuel Cell Applications, Electrochimica Acta 56, 2011. 7659-7665.

Homepage: http://www.imtek.de/MEH

For further details on the project please contact Dr. Laith Hussein (laith.hussein@fmf.uni-freiburg.de). More information about our research group can be found at: http://www.imtek.de/sensoren/index_en.php .

Masters and PhD positions in Chromosome Biology ,Vienna, Austria

    Diploma, Masters and PhD positions in Chromosome Biology

Max F. Perutz Laboratories at the University of Vienna, Austria (Franz Klein Lab)

Positions are available for the study of basic properties of Eukaryotic Chromosomes.
Strengths of this group lie in Yeast Genetics, Chromosome Microscopy, ChIP-Seq and Proteomics (Mass spectroscopy). With our wide technical portfolio, we can address various biological questions in chromosome biology.
Can we “taylor” chromosomes to understand the role of their structure for their function?
What is the basis of the structure of a chromosome (surprisingly this is fundamentally unknown)?
How is programmed DNA damage during germ cell production safely controlled?
The Synaptonemal Complex, a fascinating structure emerging during meiotic prophase, is being disenchanted. It is the ‘tip of an iceberg’, part of a voluminous pathway, that’s about 50% discovered. We’d like to contribute to complete its characterization. Our questions bare relevance for topics such as fertility, genome stability and ageing.

The successful candidate has a solid education in natural sciences and has a degree in a relevant field (genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry or equivalents) possesses mental flexibility and is fascinated by solving scientific questions. One PhD position is in the framework of the doctoral college (DK): “Chromosome Dynamics” and will strongly benefit from DK dependent extras (extra workshops, education in parallel with peers ). Applications for this position through the Campus PhD selection (http://www.mfpl.ac.at/phd-program), but also enquire directly with franz.klein@univie.ac.at. More PhD opportunities will open between October and January 2013 allowing also for later enquiries.

Contacts: For inquiries please contact Franz Klein at franz.klein@univie.ac.at. Diploma and Masters candidates should send their CV and list of courses including their grades. PhD and Postdoc candidates should send their CV, list of publications and contact information of two references to the above email address.

Further information on the doctoral program and application: www.chromosome-dynamics.at

Post-doc research associate in Hamburg,Germany

UNIVERSITY OF HAMBURG

Faculty: Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences
Department: BIOLOGY
Seminar/Institute: Biocentre Klein Flottbek and Botanical Garden

Upon funding approval the international Research Unit Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology of Plants at the University of Hamburg will have a position open for a

Post-doc Research Associate (wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in in einem post-doc-Arbeitsverhältnis) in the field of climate change and adaptive land management within the SASSCAL initiative

- salary group 13 TV-L – with a starting date of 1 November 2012.

The position calls for 39 hours per week. The short-term contract will end on 31 July 2016 (see also § 2 of the Aca-demic Fixed-Term Contract Law (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz)*).

The university intends to increase the number of women amongst its academic personnel and expressly encourages qualified women to apply. In compliance with the Hamburg Equal Opportunity Law, preference will be given to qualified female applicants.

Project background:
SASSCAL is a joint initiative between Angola, Botswana, Germany, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, responding to the challenges of global change (http:// www.sasscal.org; also see under “News”). Germany, in close cooperation with the African partner countries, initiated the implementation of a regional competence centre in Southern Africa. Science and research offer proactive approaches to deal with current projections of global change impacts. The research aims to identify appropriate interventions in the fields of climate, water, forestry, agriculture and biodiversity.

Responsibilities:
The research associate’s duties comprise advanced scientific coordination and guidance for a number of institutional activities and related research tasks and sub-projects, encompassing research, capacity development and the delivery of scientific services within the initiative “Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management”, SASSCAL.

Areas of Responsibility:
The successful candidate will participate in the scientific coordination team of SASSCAL. She/he will contribute to strengthen the network of African and German researchers involved in the related tasks in SASSCAL. She/he will support, guide and integrate the work of scientists, postgraduate students and technicians in the areas of methods, data sampling, data analyses, statistics, and scientific publishing in the context of the interdisciplinary research on arid, semi-arid to sub-humid ecosystems within the SASSCAL region. The spatial focus of this specific position will be put on the more arid countries Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
Duties comprise collaboration on the coordination of the wider team of the involved six countries including the inter-faces between research, capacity development and service delivery.
The candidate is expected (and will be given time) to develop an own research profile within one of the above-mentioned fields.

Requirements:
Academic degree in biology, ecology, geosciences or a land-use related academic field plus an excellent doctoral degree. Full professional proficiency in English.
We are looking for a highly motivated experienced scientist with a sound understanding of dryland ecosystems, excellent communication skills and a good publication record. The successful candidate should have extensive expertise in the coordination of international scientific projects and project management as well as intercultural empathy.
Proven expertise in ecological or spatial statistics is required. Category B of driving license is essential. The job will call for extensive travelling in Southern Africa. Research experience within the SASSCAL region is advantageous.

Preference will be given to disabled applicants with equal qualifications.

Application dossiers (application letter, curriculum vitae, degree certificate(s), etc.) are to be submitted in electronic format (one file, .pdf format, maximum 6 MB) to Prof. Dr. Norbert Juergens (email: norbert.juergens@t-online.de and ingo.homburg@uni-hamburg.de by 13 September 2012. Please, refer to “SASSCAL – ad 03”.

For more information please contact Dr. Manfred Finckh [phone: +49-(0)40-42816-549] or check the following web-site: http://www.sasscal.org/.