PhD student position

The Quasi-Living Materials Research Group is looking for an outstanding polymer chemist or organic chemist to join as a PhD student. The contract will be within the framework of the Project PhagoSynCell (ERC Consolidator Grant), in which our ambition is to create synthetic cells capable of performing a rudimentary form of artificial phagocytosis. We intend to use them as a new class of antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, one of the biggest challenges of contemporary medicine. We are looking for a future independent scientist who will take ownership of a research question.
The PhD project
\" Design of super predatory vesicles \"
In the context of the ERC PhagoSynCell we are developing vesicles capable of capturing, engulfing and killing bacteria. These vesicles are built from supramolecular amphiphilic comb polymers (iCPs, /advs. and /advs. ) that self-assemble in water into vesicles, termed combisomes. This PhD project sits at the interface between polymer synthesis and soft matter: it will focus on the design and synthesis of novel iCPs and on understanding how their molecular architecture governs self-assembly, membrane properties and function. The objectives are to: (1) increase combisome stability in biological media, (2) maximize engulfment of pathogens in biological media, and (3) unravel the underlying molecular design rules.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Design and synthesize libraries of comb polymers (covalent and supramolecular) using organic synthesis and controlled radical polymerization, guided by molecular and self-assembly simulations. Polymerizations will be carried out with suitable reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques.
Combine microscopy, microfluidics, and physicochemical/biophysical tools to study self-assembly and membrane properties, and to dissect how molecular structure, topology and architecture encode vesicle properties.
Identify which molecular features enhance vesicle stability in biological media.
Engineer membrane properties to achieve engulfment of pathogens, working with our partners who are specialists in antimicrobial resistance.
Establish structure–function relationships between molecular parameters and the ability to engulf.
Take ownership of your project: formulate hypotheses, design experiments, interpret results critically, propose new directions, and communicate your findings in publications and at international conferences.
Requirements for candidates:
An excellent, ambitious, hard-working and resilient scientist who loves interdisciplinary fundamental research and its applications in medicine.
Master’s degree in polymer chemistry, or in organic chemistry with a strong polymer component, is essential. We will not consider applicants without hands-on experience in polymer and/or organic synthesis.
Experience in macromolecular characterization by NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEC, DSC, TGA, TEM.
Strong interest in soft matter and self-assembly: you want to understand not only how to make a polymer, but how its architecture determines what it does.
Scientific ownership: proactive, critical and independent thinking, and the drive to define problems and push a project forward.
High level of spoken and written English.
Alignment with the team’s values and vision.
Advantageous:
Experience in supramolecular self-assembly (e.g., vesicles, coacervates) and its characterization.
Experience in optical microscopy, including Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, as well as in cryo-TEM and AFM.
Additional valuable experience or knowledge: soft matter, nanoscience, biophysics, scattering techniques, microbiology, bottom-up synthetic biology, or membrane systems.
Competencies and Skills:
We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, and Critical and Analytical Thinking.
We Offer:
Number of available positions: 1
Working conditions:
Full time 3-year contract.
Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, flexible schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
IBEC ensures equality of access to professional development opportunities irrespective of employment status, length at IBEC or other factors. The IBEC’s yearly training catalogue offers a wide range of training in technical and transferable skills including mobility grants and a Mentoring programme for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality international scientific environment.
Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona.
Reference: PhD-Syn-CR-E.
If you have any further question regarding your application, please c