PhD position - Plasma Physics - Bioapplication of plasma

5 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Comenius University

Department

Department of Experimental Physics

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Slovakia

Application Deadline

31 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Bratislava)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Low-temperature plasma is currently a highly effective medium for surface treatment of a variety of materials to activate their surface, increase adhesion or remove contaminants and unwanted microorganisms on the surface of a certain substrate. Since strong acids or other toxic chemicals are usually used for the above-mentioned purposes, plasma treatment represents an environmentally friendly method of achieving the desired material changes and moreover it is less demanding and more efficient. The low temperature of such a plasma, which is close to the ambient temperature, enables the treatment of heat-sensitive materials such as polymers and is often used for the treatment of various biological materials such as seeds, fruits or yeasts. Under optimal conditions, it can have a positive effect on sensitive biological material (improving the germination of seeds). On the other hand, due to the high density of active particles, it can be very effective in eliminating unwanted microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

The aim of the position:

One of the possible applications of low-temperature plasma is its use in agriculture to improve the germination and growth parameters of plant seeds, as well as to decontamination of food intended for consumption and storage. The problem of fungal contamination of cereals and the production of toxic secondary metabolites - mycotoxins - is receiving increasing attention worldwide, as they can enter the food chain. The use of low temperature plasma generated at atmospheric pressure to reduce the epiphytic, phytopathogenic and toxinogenic microflora of cereals would represent an alternative and ecologically suitable method to the conventional treatment of seeds by coating with fungicides.

The dissertation is focused on the optimalization of the parameters of the plasma device constructed on the basis of coplanar surface barrier discharge, based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the method for improving the germination and decontamination of model surfaces. In addition, the influence of individual plasma components on the treated surface will be examined in order to gain more detailed knowledge about the effects of individual plasma components on physiological and biochemical processes during the interaction of plasma with biological material. The surface of the treated material will be diagnosed using available and suitable methods of surface analysis (contact angle measurement, SEM, AFM, XPS, ATR-FTIR).

The research will be supported by the grant APVV-21-147. As part of the grant, we cooperate with researchers from Department of Plant Physiology and Department of Genetics at Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, where relevant biological tests will be evaluated.

More information about the research: https://dep.fmph.uniba.sk/labbioapp/

More information of the PhD study and Plasma physics programme:

https://fmph.uniba.sk/en/admissions/admissions-process/doctoral-degree-…

https://fmph.uniba.sk/en/admissions/doctoral-degree-programs/plasma-phy…

Salary:

prior to completion of the qualification exam: 1025,50 EUR (6th class, 1st level)

after successful completion of the qualification exam: 1 194 EUR (7th class, 1st level)

Scholarships are not subject to taxes or other fees.

To apply, please send

- short motivation letter (max. 1 page) describing your previous experience with laboratory research including the topic of your Master thesis

- list of your publications - peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals and conference abstracts/contributions

- CV

in advance before the deadline to [email protected]

Requirements

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Physics

Additional Information
Selection process

The candidates meeting the criteria will be contacted for online interview.

Website for additional job details

https://dep.fmph.uniba.sk/labbioapp/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics Comenius University

Country

Slovakia

City

Bratislava

Postal Code

84248

Street

Mlynská dolina

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Bratislava

Website

https://dep.fmph.uniba.sk/labbioapp

Street

Mlynská dolina F2

Postal Code

84248

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED