Open PhD Positions
Physics of Blood Clotting
Blood platelets are crucial for blood clotting and wound healing. Platelet activation occurs at the site of injury and is mediated by a thorough reorganization of the cytoskeleton. In agreement with their physiological function, platelets (i) can exert large forces and (ii) react to biochemical and biophysical clues.
We study platelet activation and function on a single cell level using biophysical techniques, including traction force microscopy, microstructuring and different microscopy methods. This PhD project will include measuring the forces produced by individual platelets under varying conditions and characterization of the cytoskeletal pattern formation.
Experience with microscopy and programming, interest in interdisciplinary scientific questions, and a strong background in bio- or soft matter physics or a related field are required.
Coherent X-Ray Imaging of Cells
(together mit Prof. Dr. T. Salditt)
The development of novel x-ray sources, such as free electron lasers (FEL) and highly coherent synchrotron sources opens up completely new possibilities for in situ imaging of biological cells. The aim of this project is to combine conventional channel-based microfluidics with FEL-comaptible, windowless flow of (cell-)suspension. This approach will help us to take advantage of the controlability of low Reynolds-number microfluidics (e.g. inducing changes in the cells by mixing in certain reagents) with the free jet streaming in vacuum which allows for FEL-applications.
Experience in programming, interest in interdisciplinary scientific questions, and a strong background in x-ray-, bio- or soft matter physics or a related field are required.
In Situ X-Ray Studies of Biological and Chemical Processes
Many processes (self-assembly, reactions, aggregation) in biological and chemical systems rely on defined and controlled conditions of the reaction environment (e.g. reagent concentration, pH or ionic strength). We study such nanoscale processes by x-ray and light scattering methods in combination with microfluidics to allow for in situ manipulation and observation.
We are looking for two PhD students. One project will be concerned with assembly processes of biologically relevant molecules and the influence of small molecules (e.g. ions or small proteins/peptides) on the physiological assembly steps. For the second project, microfludic devices for the study of chemical reactions and x-ray studies thereof will be developed and adapted. Both PhD students will design and fabricate microfluidic devices in-house and will conduct a considerable part of the x-ray experiments at large synchrotron facilities (e.g. PETRA III, Hamburg or ESRF, Grenoble).
Experience in programming, interest in interdisciplinary scientific questions, and a strong background in x-ray-, bio- or soft matter physics or a related field are required.
FCS measurements in microfluidic devices
In collaboration with the group of Prof. Dr. Detlev Schild we are planning to combine fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) measurements and microfluidic techniques. This will allow to study the system of choice in close-to-physiological conditions and dynamically while taking advantage of the high resolution FCS offers.
The aim of this project is to develop and build a suitable setup including adaption of the software and designing microfluidic flow chambers for specified scientific questions. These could be, for example, the assembly kinetics of biological macromolecules.
Experience with microscopy and programming, interest in interdisciplinary scientific questions, and a strong background in bio- or soft matter physics, optics, or a related field are required.
Projects for Bachelor's and Master's students
There are always open spots for Master‘s and Bachelor‘s students in our group. Topics include, for example:
Contact
For more information and to apply, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Sarah Köster
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Institute for X-Ray Physics
Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, F.00.106
37077 Göttingen, Germany
phone: +49-551-39-9429
email: sarah.koester@phys.uni-goettingen.de
