We are looking for a PhD candidate for a project within the SuMo Biomaterials VINN Excellence Centre with the aim of determining 3D structures in nanostructured soft materials using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography. SuMo is a ten year research program that aims at developing, characterizing and exploring new structured supramolecular biomaterials with controlled mass transport properties. The program is hosted by Chalmers University of Technology and run together with SIK, the Institute for Food and Biotechnology, and the participating companies.

The project is truly interdisciplinary since it combines advanced microscopy, structure engineering, material science, and image analysis and also constitutes a part of the SOFT Microscopy Centre within the Material Science Area of Advance at Chalmers. The SOFT Microscopy Centre is a joint effort between Chalmers University of Technology, SIK – the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology and SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden.

One aim of the PhD project is to utilize tomography in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) to determine 3D structures in nanostructured soft materials. Integration of tomography in the TEM nowadays enables the reconstruction of the whole 3D structure with a spatial resolution down to around 1 nm. Another aim is to strengthen and refine the preparation of aqueous network structures for high resolution microscopy, TEM tomography, and reconstruction and visualization of 3D network structures. 3D information is necessary in order to fully understand the microstructure of heterogeneous gel structures of single and mixed biopolymers. The concept of the project is pioneering and it will open up new research areas within high-resolution 3D microscopy of soft biomaterials. Detailed knowledge of the 3D microstructure at the nanometer level in soft nanostructured gels will be crucial for the design of new soft biomaterials with tailor-made diffusion and controlled release properties. The microstructural information will be used to predict diffusion mechanisms, thus enabling a relation to be established between the heterogeneous structures and the global diffusion properties (which can be obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, for example). Furthermore, the information will serve as input for advanced mathematical modelling. There will thus be strong connections to other SuMo projects.

The research will be performed in the group of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology and at the Structure- and Material Design unit at SIK. State-of-the art-instrumentation for specimen preparation and structural characterization including a FEI Titan 80-300 TEM/STEM with a monochromator, probe Cs corrector, high resolution energy filter and bi-prism for off-axis electron holography will be used. The Titan is equipped with the necessary hardware and software for 3D reconstructions of relatively thick sections of biomaterials. The project will also use the long term experience at SIK to prepare aqueous network structures for high resolution microscopy and to develop the techniques to match 3D reconstructions.

The expertise of the supervisors includes i) high resolution structural characterization, in particular direct correlation between properties and structure and ii) specimen preparation and characterization of biomaterials.

A suitable background for the successful applicant is a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physics, materials science, biotechnology or chemical engineering. As a PhD student you will perform research, study PhD courses and participate in teaching. The time period for the position is limited to five years. To strengthen the gender balance at the department, female applicants are encouraged to apply.

For further informal requests concerning this project and the position please contact:

Prof. Eva Olsson
Chalmers University of Technology, Dept of Applied Physics
Phone: +46-31-772 3247
eva.olsson@chalmers.se

Prof. Anne-Marie Hermansson
Chalmers University of Technology and Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology
Phone: +46-10-516 6668
anne-marie.hermansson@sik.se

Dr. Stefan Gustafsson
Chalmers University of Technology, Dept of Applied Physics
Phone: +46-31-772 3627
stefan.gustafsson@chalmers.se

Dr. Niklas Lorén
Chalmers University of Technology and Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology
Phone: +46-10-516 6614
niklas.loren@sik.se

• SACO: Jan Lindér
• ST: Marie Wenander
• SEKO: Johan Persson

All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00