PhD position in Analytical Chemistry

14.01.2022, Wissenschaftliches Personal

I am looking for a motivated researcher with a chemistry or biology background, to work on in-situ mass spectrometry method development. The project will be embedded in the research group of Prof. Dr. Nicole Strittmatter, at the Faculty of Chemistry of TUM. Remuneration is 66% TVL E13 according to the German public sector rates. The candidate is expected to pursue a doctoral degree (Ph.D.).

About us Located in the prosperous capital of Bavaria and home to over 39000 students, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the world’s top universities. It is committed to excellence in research and teaching, interdisciplinary education, and the active promotion of promising young scientists. TUM benefits from the healthy mix of companies and startups of all sizes headquartered in the region and is tightly connected to regional research hospitals. The university also forges strong links with companies and scientific institutions across the world. Prof. Dr. Nicole Strittmatter has joined TUM in October 2021 as Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistry and is in the process of creating her own research group of which successful candidates would be a part of. She has previously worked at the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London and spent 6 years in pharmaceutical industry at AstraZeneca in their R&D headquarters in Cambridge, UK in the Department Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences (CPSS). Her research is highly interdisciplinary and life sciences oriented. She specializes in the development and application of in-situ and ambient mass spectrometry methods to advance our understanding of complex biological samples. These range from healthy and diseases tissues to microbial specimen. A main technology used in her group is imaging mass spectrometry for spatial metabolomics, especially using Desorption Electrospray Ionisation.

Description The PhD project is to develop methods for biofilm characterisation using mass spectrometry imaging. This project focusses around the development of sample preparation strategies for liquid and solid bacterial and biofilm culturing methods as well as the analysis of biofilm specimen from advanced culture models. We will use multimodal imaging and advanced image analysis methods to identify and characterise biofilm spatial heterogeneity and develop applications in medical, environmental and biotechnological areas. We will characterise the analysis of biofilm reaction to external stressors such as antibiotic treatment or other microorganisms and develop a minimally invasive method for longitudinal biofilm analysis.

Requirements  Master in Chemistry or Biology, or related  Knowledge about mass spectrometry, cell metabolism, independent working  Preferred: experience working with microorganisms, experience with coding (Python, R or similar)  Soft skills: analytical thinking, structured and organized work, high intrinsic motivation

How to apply? Please send the following information to nicole.strittmatter@tum.de no later than 13.02.2022 EOD, and attach the following (ideally all in one PDF):  Motivation letter: Why do you want to pursue a Phd, why in this field of research?  CV including education, (optional) industry experience, and (optional) completed projects.  Transcript of records (completed courses and grades).  Names of one or two contact persons that can be asked for letters of reference

Note that TUM has been pursuing the strategic goal of substantially increasing the diversity of its staff. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, TUM explicitly encourages nominations of and applications from women as well as from all others who would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university’s research and teaching strategies. Preference will be given to disabled candidates with equal qualifications. International candidates are also encouraged to apply.

Contact If you have any questions about the application or the project, write an email to Prof. Dr. Nicole Strittmatter, nicole.strittmatter@tum.de

Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.

Kontakt: nicole.strittmatter@tum.de

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-strittmatter-32228191/