Chemist (f/m/d) with doctorate degree

Scientists / Engineers (master´s degree) (m/f/d)

In the prestigious national competition "Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments" to further strengthen top research at German universities, KIT succeeded in acquiring two clusters of excellence.

The research cluster "3D Matter Made to Order", jointly funded by KIT and the University of Heidelberg, pursues a strongly interdisciplinary approach in combining natural and engineering sciences. The cluster focuses on three-dimensional additive manufacturing technologies - from the molecular level to macroscopic dimensions. The goal is the complete digitalization of 3D manufacturing and material processing. Thus, components and systems are to be created using nanoprinting techniques with the highest process speed and resolution and create the prerequisites for novel applications in the material and life sciences.

As part of the "3DMM2O" cluster of excellence, you will work in the field of photoresist production for direct laser writing (DLW). These activities serve as an essential preparation for the Excellence Initiative III. You will publish the corresponding results in scientific journals and at international conferences.

You have a university degree (Diplom (Uni)/Master) in chemistry with a doctorate and several years of professional experience in macromolecular chemistry and 3D printing. Furthermore you have good knowledge in organic and polymer synthesis as well as in the application of photoresists in 3D printing (3D-Laser Lithography). International experience is advantageous.

Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.

Chemikerin / Chemiker (w/m/d) mit abgeschlossener Promotion

Scientists / Engineers (master´s degree) (m/f/d)

Sie arbeiten im Rahmen des Excellenzclusters "3DMM2O" auf dem Gebiet der Herstellung von Fotolacken für direktes Laserschreiben (DLW). Diese Tätigkeiten dienen als essentielle Vorbereitung für die Exzellenzinitiative III. Sie veröffentlichen die entsprechenden Ergebnisse in wissenschaftlichen Zeitschriften und bei internationalen Konferenzen.

Sie verfügen über ein Hochschulstudium (Diplom (Uni)/Master) der Fachrichtung Chemie mit abgeschlossener Promotion und mehrjährige Berufserfahrung in der Makromolekularen Chemie und im 3D-Druck. Weiterhin haben Sie gute Kenntnisse in der organischen und Polymer Synthese sowie in der Anwendung von Fotolacken in 3D Druck (3D-Laser Lithography).Sehr gute Englischkenntnisse in Wort und Schrift runden Ihr Profil ab. Auslandserfahrung ist von Vorteil.

Entgelt

EG 13, sofern die fachlichen und persönlichen Voraussetzungen erfüllt sind. 

The Carl Zeiss Foundation funds positions on specified topics in the area of the Principal Investigators that joined the Cluster in November 2019.

Currently advertised positions:

IMT 09-19 Master Thesis: Fabriction of an amperometric glucose biosensor via chitosan electrodeposition on a laser carbon electrode

Final Thesis (Bachelor and Master Thesis)

Many phenolic resins undergo transformation to carbon by applied heating in an inert environment, which is called pyrolysis. However, some of the resins also have the tendency to carbonize/pyrolyze under laser radiation with short pulse duration, one of such polymers is polyimide (commercially known as Kapton). Such laser carbons attain properties different from typical pyrolyzed carbons: with substantial increase in porosity, conductivity and presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and carbonyl surface functional groups.[1]

Those properties are favourable for the deposition of the bio-polymer chitosan, derived by deacetylation of the chitin from the shells of crustaceans. Chitosan has several advantages due to its biocompatibility and degradability, it can be easily deposited as a hydrogel on conductive substrates via electrochemical processes and thus functions as a perfect substrate for enzyme immobilization and biosensors that are integrated into flexible substrates.[1,2]

At the Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT) we focus on the investigation of the fundamental properties of both materials – laser carbon and chitosan, for the utilization in biosensors. Previously, it was successfully shown that deposition of chitosan and subsequent immobilization of the enzyme urease yielded an integrated biosensor for urea detection within a catheter tube. Our research interest extends to the fabrication of additional enzyme-based biosensors.

The work will involve tasks including:

Design and fabrication of the carbon substrates and utilization as biosensors;

Chitosan electrodeposition;

Glucose-oxidase immobilization (glucose biosensor);

Demonstrate the functionalization of the immobilization enzyme;

Characterisation of the fabricated substrates/devices with FT-infrared spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

You will be part of a larger team within the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), which offers you the possibility to fabricate and test the devices, and gives you the opportunity to co-author conference and/or journal publications.

Bibliography

[1]        E. R. Mamleyev, S. Heissler, A. Nefedov, P. G. Weidler, N. Nordin, V. V. Kudryashov, K. Länge, N. MacKinnon and S. Sharma, "Laser-induced hierarchical carbon patterns on polyimide substrates for flexible urea sensors," npj Flexible Electronics, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 2, 2019.

[2]        E. R. Mamleyev, N. Nordin, S. Heissler, K. Länge, N. MacKinnon and S. Sharma, "Flexible Carbon-based Urea Sensor by Laser Induced Carbonisation of Polyimide," in 2018 International Flexible Electronics Technology Conference (IFETC). IEEE, Ottawa, 2018.

Further information on the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT): www.imt.kit.edu

• Experience in the software: Origin Pro, CorelDraw, MatLAB;
• Interest in electro-chemistry, physical chemistry and bio-chemistry;
• Enthusiasm to work independently in multidisciplinary, multicultural environment.
• Field of study: Material Science, Physical chemistry, Bio-chemical engineering, Electrical engineering