Open positions

Interested in nanoscience research? Please remember to check this page where we regularly post job offers for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scientists at the Adolphe Merkle Institute. Chemistry, materials science, analytics, physics, and biophysics are all at the core of our scientific projects. We offer a uniquely stimulating interdisciplinary research environment, state-of-the-art laboratories, excellent working conditions, competitive salaries, and outstanding career prospects. Our alumni regularly take up attractive positions in academia, public research organizations, and industry around the world.

  • Electron Microscopy Technician (90%)

    The NCCR Bio-inspired Materials and the Adolphe Merkle Institute are searching for an Electron Microscopy Technician (90%). The starting date is May 15, 2024, or to be discussed. We offer a fixed-term contract until 31.05.2026.

    Profile

    You will be part of the microscopy platform team at the Adolphe Merkle Institute and help with the daily operation of our multi-user facility. Your duties will involve preparing samples  from material and biology research using standard protocols. Additionally, you will conduct experiments with researchers and students, operate and maintain the facility's sample preparation equipment, perform scanning and transmission electron microscopy, train users in the operation of the equipment, maintain laboratory supplies and inventory, and assist with scheduling facility activities and billing services.

    Electron microscopy is a widely used technique for research groups at the University of Fribourg, including those in chemistry, biology, medicine, physics, geosciences, and the Adolphe Merkle Institute, as well as for external academic and industrial partners. Our facility is equipped with a transmission electron microscope (Tecnai Spirit with CryoTEM holder and tomography functions), a scanning electron microscope (Tescan Mira FEG SEM), and a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (ThermoFischer Scios 2). Both latter instruments are equipped with an analytical energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Additionally, the platform has access to a fully equipped ultramicrotome laboratory that includes Leica and Reichert microtomes. The facility is situated on the Plateau de Perolles in Fribourg. This position provides the opportunity to work with various advanced instrumentation and on different sample types and scientific projects.

    Skills

    • Experience with biological sample preparation techniques for transmission electron microscopy, in particular ultramicrotomy.
    • Experience with biological TEM imaging; Additional skills like CryoTEM or Tokuyasu are advantageous.
    • Strong organisational and communicative skills; Fluency in English and at least a good understanding of German or French.
    • A thorough understanding of data management.

    Mindset

    • Diligence in preparing reports and carrying out experimental projects;
    • Ability to document and communicate results and problems clearly;
    • Ability to identify and solve problems independently;
    • Ability to work in a collaborative environment;
    • Willingness to learn

    More information

    If you have questions about the position, please contact Dimitri Vanhecke (dimitri.vanhecke@unifr.ch).

    How to apply

    The application deadline is April 15, 2024. To apply, please send your resume to Prof. Barbara Rothen (barbara.rothen@unifr.ch) and mention 'Job application - Microscopy Technician' in the subject.

  • Post-doctoral Research Associate Position - Bio-Inspired Hydrogel Batteries

    AMI’s BioPhysics Group (Prof. Michael Mayer) invites applications for a post-doctoral research associate to investigate bio-inspired hydrogel batteries. This project addresses the urgent societal need for new power storage systems. The group targets novel electrical power sources whose design is inspired by the electric organs of electric fish and exploits salinity gradients. The research activities range from preparing thin hydrogel and polymer films, conducting electrochemical measurements of open circuit potentials and short circuit currents to fabricating, assembling, characterizing, and testing hydrogel-based devices. The project is a collaboration with groups in Polymer Chemistry (AMI, CH), Mechanical Engineering (PSU, US), and Machine Learning (CMU, USA).

    Applicants must have a PhD degree in (Bio)Physical Chemistry, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering, or a related field and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international team. Previous experience in electrochemistry, biochemistry/biophysics/electrophysiology/electrical engineering would be ideal.  Other requirements are the ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English. AMI offers attractive employment conditions and outstanding infrastructure in a state-of-the-art research facility.

    The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of at least two references as one PDF file via E‐mail to michael.mayer@unifr.ch with the subject title “Post-doctoral Research Associate Position Bio-Inspired Hydrogel Batteries”.

  • Two PhD Positions - Soft Matter Physics Group
    The Adolphe Merkle Institute's Soft Matter Physics Group (Prof. Ullrich Steiner) invites applications for two PhD positions in the "Strong Localisation of Light through the Controlled Assembly of Amorphous Patchy Colloid Networks” project.

    In opaque materials, light is multiply scattered before emerging.  A long-standing interesting fundamental question arises: Is it possible to design a strongly scattering material from which light never emerges? While theoretically predicted and despite several experimental efforts, this effect has not yet been demonstrated.  Our approach follows the theoretical studies, which require an interplay of order and disorder in the arrangement of the scatterers within the material.  

    To this end, we will develop a system of colloidal building blocks that can be assembled into networks, allowing us to adjust the order-disorder interplay of the resulting network. These 3D networks are then replicated into high-refractive index materials (silicon or titania) and optically characterised to achieve strong light scattering. One of the PhD projects concerns the creation of the building blocks, i.e., the synthesis of the colloids and their assembly, while the second will work on replicating the networks as mentioned above.  Both students will also use molecular dynamics and optical simulations to predict promising network morphologies, guiding their experiments.

    Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Physics and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international team. The ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements for this position. Experience in polymer or colloid science will be of advantage, and some knowledge of optics is desirable. 

    The Adolphe Merkle Institute offers attractive employment conditions and outstanding infrastructure in a new research facility.
    The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of at least two references as one PDF file via E‐mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Light Localisation”.
  • PhD Position - Healable Polymers

    The Adolphe Merkle Institute's Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. Christoph Weder) invites applications for a PhD Position in Healable Polymers.

    Healable polymers hold the promise to enable products that offer better performance, longer service life, and lower environmental impact, but the transfer of such materials from research labs into real-world applications has been slow. To address this, a readily scalable design approach to create healable polymers will be investigated in collaboration with an industrial partner. The project is part of the National Center of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials (bioinspired-materials.ch).

    Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Chemistry or Polymer/Materials Science and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international team. Experience in polymer synthesis and processing, the ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements for this position. Previous experience in research on batteries and/or ion-conducting polymers is desirable. AMI offers very attractive employment  conditions and an outstanding infrastructure in a new research facility.

    The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of at least two references as one PDF file via E‐mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Position Healable Polymers”.

  • PhD Position - Bio-Inspired Polymer Batteries

    The Adolphe Merkle Institute's Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. Christoph Weder) invites applications for a PhD Position in Bio-Inspired Polymer Batteries.

    This project addresses our society’s urgent need for new power storage systems. We target new batteries whose design is inspired by the “power plants” of electric fish. The research activities range  from the synthesis and processing of polymer electrolytes and ion-selective membranes to the fabrica-tion and testing of batteries. The project is a collaboration with the groups of Profs. Michael Mayer (AMI), Joseph Najem (Penn State University), and Amir Barati Farimani (Carnegie Mellon University).

    Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Chemistry or Polymer/Materials Science and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international team. Experience in polymer synthesis and processing, the ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements for this position. Previous experience in research on batteries and/or ion-conducting polymers is desirable. AMI offers very attractive employment  conditions and an outstanding infrastructure in a new research facility.

    The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of at least two references as one PDF file via E‐mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Position Bio-Inspired Polymer Batteries”.

  • PhD Position - Dynamic Polymer Networks

    The Adolphe Merkle Institute's Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. Christoph Weder) invites applications for a PhD Position in Dynamic Polymer Networks.

    This project is focused on the design, synthesis, and exploration of a new class of complex polymer networks. We target materials that contain different types of reversible bonds, which render the materials adaptive and promote multiple functions such as damage-sensing and self-healing. The research activities will involve the synthesis and processing of novel materials and the investigation of their structure-property relationships. The project is a collaborative effort with the research group of Prof. Stuart Rowan (University of Chicago) and will involve international research exchanges.

    Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Chemistry or Polymer/Materials Science and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international team. Experience in organic and polymer synthesis, the ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements for this position. AMI offers very attractive employment  conditions and an outstanding infrastructure in a new research facility.

    The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of at least two references as one PDF file via E‐mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Position Dynamic Polymer Networks”.