Phd Position

The demand for environmental-friendly technologies is increasing significantly due to the depletion of natural resources and global environmental pollution. In this regard, scientists from all over the world are struggling to invent technologies for “green” production of electronics that would be CO2-neutral and fully biodegradable. The recent discovery of the highly conductive Cable Bacteria inspired an international team of scientists to launch a Pathfinder EU project aimed at developing novel electronic components fully made from living organisms for Protein-Based Next-Generation Electronics. The announced PhD project is embedded in this EU project and should establish the foundation for this bio-based electronics made from Cable Bacteria proteins. The work will be conducted at the Institute of Biological Information Processing - Bioelectronics (IBI-3) of the Forschungszentrum Jülich, where an international and multidisciplinary team studies and develops biological, electronic hybrid systems aiming to create the next generation of sustainable electronics.

**Your Job**:
The PhD thesis project aims to develop novel nanobiotechnological approaches for the manipulation of conductive cable bacteria fibers with the goal of obtaining a new material for biodegradable electronic circuits. The core conductive structure of Cable Bacteria are the periplasmic protein fibers, for extraction of which the intact cable bacterium filaments should be treated chemically and mechanically. The extracted fibers will serve as the raw substance for the protein fibers-based material. The quality of the fibers’ extraction and reproducibility of the method should be evaluated using such methods as SEM, TEM, and AFM. On the next stage, the assembly of the fibers should be performed using the self-assembly, shear-coating, and other biochemical and mechanical approaches. Electrical and electrochemical characterizations will be conducted to evaluate the material performance.

Your tasks will include:

- Performing and optimizing protocols for the chemical extraction of biological fibers
- Modification of the sample surfaces to induce the fibers assembly into bio-based biodegradable material
- Fabrication of structures assisting the material assembly in the cleanroom
- Characterization of material’s biodegradability and biocompatibility
Implementation of conceptional devices based on the CB derived biomaterial

Further information on the Microbial Electricity background:
Project Link:
**Your Profile**:

- Master´s degree in Material Sciences, Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, or Biotechnology or similar
- Interest in the field of Bioelectronics
- Ability to communicate with scientists and technicians from various disciplines
- Good written and spoken English
- Independent and analytical way of working
- Advantageous, yet not mandatory, are experiences in programming and data analysis
- Passion for science

**Our Offer**:
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

- Multifaceted work in an interdisciplinary and international setting, as well as a cooperative work environment
- Fantastic research equipment facilities
- International collaboration with the scientific groups from the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Cyprus
- Forschungszentrum Jülich located closely to Belgium and the Netherlands with strong links to the ABCD Region (Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf) which is one of the leading high-tech regions in Europe.
- A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work

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