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The department of Materials Physics at the Institute for Materials Science is looking for a candidate to fill the

PhD position “Cryo-Atom Probe Tomography of Bio-Materials”

The successful candidate will be involved in DFG-funded research activities to establish the atomic analysis and volume reconstruction of atom probe tomography in the study of soft matter and bio-materials.

Description of job duties:

The successful candidate will perform experiments with cutting-edge instrumentation, cryo-preparation, atom probe tomography, and aberration-corrected TEM including cryo-transfer. The aim is to quench-freeze biological systems (viruses, genetically modified phages) embedded in aqueous solution and make them accessible to FIB preparation and measurement with the atom probe.

Measurement conditions shall be optimized, volume reconstructions and chemical maps of standardized viruses and genetically modified phages shall be obtained. TEM images should be achieved for comparison, on the bases of which the correction of reconstruction artefacts in atom probe tomography shall be achieved. The chemical sensitivity and resolution shall be investigated on genetically modified (contrast-enhanced) samples. The successful candidate will be expected to publish in-peer reviewed journals, present at professional scientific conferences and assist in laboratory training of Master students.

Required qualifications:

Candidates should hold a master’s degree in Physics, Materials Science & Engineering or a closely related field.

Candidate must possess good English language skills.

Previous knowledge in the field of atomic probe tomography, electron microscopy and programming (C++, Python, etc..) is an advantage.

Salary:

The position is compensated in accordance with the public service salary rate TV-L E13 66%.

The University of Stuttgart would like to increase the proportion of women. Women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. Full-time positions can generally be split up. Handicapped applicants will be given preference if equally qualified. The hiring itself takes place through the central administration's personnel office. Information on handling applicant data in accordance with Article 13 GDPR can be found at: https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/datenschutz/werbung

The application deadline is 23th Dec. 2022

Contact: Prof. Dr. Dr. (h.c.) Guido Schmitz

Institute for Materials Science

Department of Materials Physics

Heisenbergstr. 3

70569 Stuttgart

Email: guido.schmitz@imw.uni-stuttgart.de