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EURAXESS

Post-doc: call for expression of interest: Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles applied to antibacterial/antifungal coatings and water purification

14 Jan 2019

Hosting Information

Offer Deadline
EU Research Framework Programme
Not funded by an EU programme
Country
Estonia
City
Tartu

Organisation/Institute

Organisation / Company
Estonian University of Life Sciences
Department
Institute of Technology
Laboratory
Biosystems Engineering
Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Contact Information

Organisation / Company Type
Higher Education Institute
Website
Email
protima.rauwel@emu.ee
erwan.rauwel@emu.ee
State/Province
Tartu
Postal Code
51014
Street
Kreutzwaldi 1 51014 Tartu ESTONIA

Description

Postdoctoral project:

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles applied to antibacterial/antifungal coatings and water purification

 

 

Supervisors: - Prof. Erwan Rauwel (erwan.rauwel@emu.ee)

- Dr. Protima Rauwel (protima.rauwel@ttu.ee)

 

Metallic nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 2 to 100nm have received extensive attention during the past decades due to their high potential applications such as catalysis, biomedical and cancer therapy for noble-metal nanoparticles. There is a need for a simple, low cost, reliable and ecological method for producing homogeneous stable metal nanoparticles. Microorganisms are everywhere in the environment, and problem comes from harmful microorganisms that are pathogenic. There is an identified need for a safe biocidal paints and a solution has to be provided in a near future.

The postdoctoral position aims to study metal nanoparticles and more particularly Ag and Cu nanoparticles for applications in antibacterial/antifungal coating and water remediation. The synthesis of nanoparticles will be perform using plant extracts that will be selected after discussions between supervisors and the postdoctoral fellow. The metallic nanoparticles will be studied and combined with polymers(paint) and other nanomaterial for the development of biocidal coating. The biocidal properties will be studied with the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences to develop a cream that can treat microbial and fungal infection. Finally the nanoparticles will be combined with a nanocomposite recently developed for the metallic pollutant extraction in order to add biocidal properties in the water filtrtion process.

The postdoctoral fellow candidate needs to have a background in material science with strong knowledge in nanomaterials characterization and synthesis. Knowledge in sol-gel synthesis will be a plus, but is not mandatory. The candidate should have experience in antibacterial and antifungal study and will have to implement this activity in the laboratory for a non-pathogenic strain. The postdoctoral fellow also should have experience in polymer science and rheology for the development of biocidal paint.

- Strong background in Material Science

- Nanoparticles synthesis (plant extracts).

- Structural and chemiacl characterization of nanoparticles.

- Antimicrobial/antifungal study (petri dishes, microscopy)

- Polymer science (rheology and paint)

Please take contact to learn about the procedure for application for post doc funding, the salary and other administartive procedures. The candidate can not have defended his or her PhD before february 2014 in order to be eligible to apply for this call.