Belgium Job Openings
KU Leuven
Bacteria in Polysaccharide-Stabilized Multiphase Materials
Kortrijk
FULL TIME
August 14, 2024
Bacteria in Polysaccharide-Stabilized Multiphase Materials
(ref. BAP-2024-455)
Laatst aangepast: 14/08/24
Laatst aangepast: 14/08/24
The Ph D research work will be carried out within the Sus Mat research group (Department of Chemical Engineering) of Prof. Wim Thielemans located on the Kulak Kortrijk campus of KU Leuven. The Sustainable Materials Lab combines fundamental and applied research towards the development of materials from sustainable sources. The SUSMAT group is very interdisciplinary and combines and applies knowledge from a molecular level over processing and characterization of the materials.
The SUSMAT group has fully equipped wet chemical labs, elemental analysis, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), light scattering, small and wide-angle x-ray scattering (S/WAXS), x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic scanning and isothermal titration calorimeter (DSC and ITC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, various linear and non-linear optical setups, rotational rheometers, and access to centralized high-field NMR spectroscopy and electron microscopy facilities. Our research group at current consists of 10 Ph D students, 3 postdoctoral researchers, a Research and an Industrial Research Fund Manager as well as a technician, and we also have numerous international scientific collaborations. More information on the group can be found through this link.
The SUSMAT group has fully equipped wet chemical labs, elemental analysis, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), light scattering, small and wide-angle x-ray scattering (S/WAXS), x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic scanning and isothermal titration calorimeter (DSC and ITC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, various linear and non-linear optical setups, rotational rheometers, and access to centralized high-field NMR spectroscopy and electron microscopy facilities. Our research group at current consists of 10 Ph D students, 3 postdoctoral researchers, a Research and an Industrial Research Fund Manager as well as a technician, and we also have numerous international scientific collaborations. More information on the group can be found through this link.
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This Ph D project is part of the MSCA Doctoral Training Network project BIOMAC-BP aiming to develop bio-stabilized multi-phase materials as carriers for microbial pesticides. Current agricultural pest control is highly dependent on synthetic pesticides and these pose significant risks to the environment and human health. Microbial pesticides are promising alternatives to synthetic pesticides as they display greater specificity and reduced risk.
The network, with funding for a total of 14 Ph D students, is a combination of academic and industrial partners joining efforts to create and formulate economically viable biopesticides by incorporating bacteria with high pesticide production potential into polysaccharide-stabilized multiphase materials. This way we combine the potential of microbial pesticides with the interfacial stabilisation power and sustainability of bio-sourced particles to create the agricultural pest control of the future. We will also study their performance as well as their environmental fate and impact.
Objectives of the Ph D project
This Ph D project will create a technology platform of coatable and sprayable multiphase materials in which bacteria are incorporated, where bacterial growth and the production of useful bacterial compounds can be regulated, and where the release of these compounds to the environment is controlled. Multiphase emulsions and bijels will be stabilised by polysaccharide particles such as cellulose (rods) and starch (platelets) nanocrystals, providing biphasic systems with high internal interfaces. Bacterial viability and cell growth will be monitored as well as production and release of antibacterial compounds produced by the encapsulated bacteria. Finally, stability of the obtained active multiphase materials during coating, drying, and spraying applications will be investigated as function of external conditions (temperature, shear, pressure,…).
This Ph D project is part of the MSCA Doctoral Training Network project BIOMAC-BP aiming to develop bio-stabilized multi-phase materials as carriers for microbial pesticides. Current agricultural pest control is highly dependent on synthetic pesticides and these pose significant risks to the environment and human health. Microbial pesticides are promising alternatives to synthetic pesticides as they display greater specificity and reduced risk.
The network, with funding for a total of 14 Ph D students, is a combination of academic and industrial partners joining efforts to create and formulate economically viable biopesticides by incorporating bacteria with high pesticide production potential into polysaccharide-stabilized multiphase materials. This way we combine the potential of microbial pesticides with the interfacial stabilisation power and sustainability of bio-sourced particles to create the agricultural pest control of the future. We will also study their performance as well as their environmental fate and impact.
Objectives of the Ph D project
This Ph D project will create a technology platform of coatable and sprayable multiphase materials in which bacteria are incorporated, where bacterial growth and the production of useful bacterial compounds can be regulated, and where the release of these compounds to the environment is controlled. Multiphase emulsions and bijels will be stabilised by polysaccharide particles such as cellulose (rods) and starch (platelets) nanocrystals, providing biphasic systems with high internal interfaces. Bacterial viability and cell growth will be monitored as well as production and release of antibacterial compounds produced by the encapsulated bacteria. Finally, stability of the obtained active multiphase materials during coating, drying, and spraying applications will be investigated as function of external conditions (temperature, shear, pressure,…).
This Ph D project will be co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Jens Harting (Head of the Dynamics and Complex Fluids and Interfaces Department, Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany).
We seek an enthusiastic researcher with a Master in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Materials Science/Physics or related field with a proven experience in emulsion and bijel technology and rheological characterization. Established knowledge of standard and advanced rheological characterization techniques as well as relevant chemical and physical characterization techniques (SAXS, DSC, optical polarized light microscope) is a plus.
Offer
Since the funding for this position is provided through the Marie Curie Sklodowska program, we can only consider candidates who have not been resident in Belgium for more than 12 months over the past 3 years.
We offer a fully funded Ph D position with annual review of progress.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Wim Thielemans, tel.: +32 56 24 61 71, mail: wim.thielemans@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than August 31, 2024 via the online application tool
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
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Locatie : Kortrijk
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Solliciteren tot en met:
31/08/2024 23:59 CET
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Tags: Chemische Ingenieurstechnieken
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