Open PhD position: Understanding phase transitions in bio-gels for structure/properties control of bio-aerogels and for making responsive biomaterials

    CEMEF 2021 PhD THESIS: Understanding phase transitions in bio-gels for structure/properties control of bio-aerogels and for making responsive biomaterials

    Global objective of work

    The goal of this PhD project is to understand and quantitatively describe phase transitions in polysaccharide gels in non-solvents and their mixtures.

    Context

    Hydrogels based on stimuli-responsive synthetic polymers are an essential building block of smart materials and devices, and have been actively studied in the past several decades targeting at applications as biointerfaces, coatings, sensors, for controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, and as various types of actuators. Much less is known about stimuli responsiveness of gels from natural polymers, here, polysaccharides (“bio-gels” in the following). Can bio-gels replace “intelligent” petrol-based gels and suggest new applications of polysaccharides?

    Detailed presentation

    In addition to the fundamental scientific importance of this topic in the area of soft matter science, such a description will help the development of the following applications: i) controlling bio-aerogel properties and ii) making bio-based sensors. Bio-aerogels are new biomass-based lightweight nanostructured materials with strong potential in life science applications. Another very promising application of bio-aerogels is thermal insulation.


    Candidate profile and skills

    polymers and/or materials’ engineering ;
    knowledge in polymer chemical physics, capability to work in group, fluent in English, mobility, motivation and sense of initiative and capability to report regularly on his/her work.


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    General informations

    • Industrial field: Mechanics and Materials
    • Location: Sophia Antipolis, France
    • Keywords: hydrogels, polysaccharides, solutions, rheology, gels, bio-aerogels
    • Cooperation: This PhD project is funded by French National Research Agency (ANR) and will be performed in collaboration with Hamburg Technical University (Germany).
    • Duration: 3 years ; the position is available now (as soon as possible).
    • Salary: about 26 k€/year.

    Contacts

    • Team: Biobased Polymers and Composites group
    • Supervisors: Tatiana Budtova

    To apply

    • papers requiered to apply:
    • your most recent CV
    • Detailed, official proof of your grades during your most recent studies(maximum 3)
    • One or more references from professors or heads of training programmes

    Information! Application only on the CEMEF website.
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