PhD project on Underwater Adhesion of Brown algae Fucus sp. (m/f/d)

The Department of Sustainable and Bioinspired Materials (Director Prof. Dr. Silvia Vignolini) at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany, invites applications from outstanding young scientists for a

PhD project

on Underwater Adhesion of Brown algae Fucus sp. (m/f/d)

We are looking for a highly motivated Ph.D. student in the field of bio-adhesives and biological materials. The candidate should have a degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry or closely related fields with an outstanding profile, a strong background, and interests in

• Underwater adhesives and glues
• Understanding molecular-surface interactions
• Compositional, structural and mechanical characterization
• Polysaccharides and Polyphenols
• Macro-Algae

THE PROJECT: Similar to other sessile marine organisms, brown macroalgae form strong attachments to rocky substrates in order to resist drag forces produced by crashing waves. Therefore, they secrete a glue that is able to adhere underwater, a characteristic current man-made glues do not posses. This underwater glue is already secreted in the early development of brown algae in order to stick the fertilized egg to the substrate from which the algae will grow. In this project, we aim to understand the chemical and structural composition of this glue as well as to characterize its adhesive properties. The first step is to successfully cultivate the algae in the lab and analyze the secreted carbohydrates and polyphenols. Furthermore, we want to determine the adhesive properties of the developing holdfast after different time points and to different surface chemistries. The focus of this study is to characterize the molecular interactions between the various components on the surface. Insights into the brown algae adhesives can help to develop new more sustainable solutions for underwater glues relevant in medical and industrial applications.

The position will be in the Sustainable and Bioinspired Materials Department.

The position is available as soon as possible.

Please send us your application in English until 15.03.2024.

The candidate CV will be evaluated internally according to the project and the best candidates will be invited for an online interview. After the online interview the interviewed candidates will receive an email with the final decision.

The accepted candidate will join the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Sustainable and Bioinspired Materials Department led by Prof. Dr. Silvia Vignolini and will be supervised by Dr. Tobias Priemel..

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

For further information about the Institute see www.mpikg.mpg.de/.

The Department of Sustainable and Bioinspired Materials (Director Prof. Dr. Silvia Vignolini) at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany, invites applications from outstanding young scientists for a