Open PhD and Postdoc positions

 PhD and Postdoc positions 

PhD Position (f/m/d), 36 months

About us: 

The group of Inorganic Functional Materials and Nanomaterials develops nanostructured materials and interfaces for electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems. We are a diverse and international team of chemists and material scientists working on material synthesis, advanced characterization, and application for electrochemical energy systems. Our laboratories are located at the Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry (IAAC), the Freiburg Center for Material Research (FMF) as well as the Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technology (FIT).

Project description / Your task: 
The objective of the proposed project is to develop an enzyme-based bioelectrocatalytic nitrate ammonification system (also known as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, DNRA) that quantitatively transforms nitrate into nitrite and further into ammonium, at first separately but ultimately in an integrated setting. For this, nitrate reductases and nitrite reductases will be coupled with tailored 3D-porous electrodes and integrated into advanced bioelectrochemical reactors to achieve high conversion rates. In the Einsle Lab (University of Freiburg) the enzymes will be engineered for high activity and stability as well as efficient electrode attachment (electrostatics, coordination, covalent binding). In the Fischer Lab (University of Freiburg) tailored 3D-porous electrode materials and electrodes will be developed and finetuned in terms of enzyme immobilization (adsorption and desorption studies in-situ spectroelectrochemical methods) and protein film voltammetry (direct versus mediated electron transfer). Finally, in the Apfel Lab (University of Bochum, Fraunhofer UMSICHT) high performance electrochemical zero-gap cells will be designed that allow for high current densities. Electrode integration will be realized with promising enzyme-electrode combinations that are evaluated for continuously operated single reactor reactions. Once the materials, immobilization strategies and reactor designs are optimized, integrated systems for enzymatic cascade reactions will be developed between all the partners.

Requirements:

• You have a Master degree in chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, material science or engineering.
• You have expertise in the synthesis and/or processing of nanomaterials, in-depth knowledge in materials characterization techniques, enzymatic systems, spectroscopy as well as electrochemistry. Previous experience in the field of bioelectrocatalysis is a plus but not mandatory.
• Team-working capabilities, as well as excellent organization, communication and writing skills in English and/or German are required.

 
Location/supervision:

The candidate will work at the University of Freiburg. The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Anna Fischer.

Application:

Please send your application in one single PDF file via email to the email address stated below including:

• a CV
• a short (max 3 pages) research summary about previous research experiences
• a motivation letter (why do you want to do a PhD and why in the Fischer Lab?)
• an overview of the lectures in your studies
• a copy of your diploma
• and the contact of 2 references

Deadline: 31.05.2024

E-mail: anna.fischer@ac.uni-freiburg.de

PhD and Postdoc positions to come ...

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Please contact anna.fischer(a)ac.uni-freiburg.de for more information.

Please always include a CV and a motivation letter in your request, explaining why you want to do a PhD and why you are interested in the topic and in the group.