We are Looking for

            Post-Docs, PhD candidates and Master Students!

Open call for a PhD Position

Open call for a PhD Position (Supervisors Paolo Falcaro and Bernd Nidetzky)

Porous materials and biocomposites

Short description: The project aims at the development of innovative biocomposites based on enzymes, porous materials and inorganic nanoparticles. These biocatalysts will be further engineered to facilitate their recycling and device integration. The PhD student will explore different strategies for the preparation of biocomposites with enhanced activity and stability, and will perform in-depth characterization of the most promising bio-catalysts.

Starting date: June 2023

The contract: We offer a monthly gross salary of € 2,300.30 (14 times per year) in accordance with the PhD salaries lined out by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). The working language of the project/research group is English. An initial probationary period will be part of the contract.

Required qualifications:

  • Finished Master study in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Material Science, Biotechnology or equivalent.
  • Interest in multidisciplinary research.
  • Background in the study/characterization of materials or/and proteins.

Please send applications to marion.hofmeisternoSpam@tugraz.at . The email must quote in the subject “application for the PhD position in bio-composites” and should contain the CV of the applicant, a motivation letter, and contact details of two reference persons including the advisor of the Master thesis.

For further information about the aforementioned bio-composites, we suggest checking the following  publications:

Wied, P., Carraro, F., Bolivar, J..M., Doonan, C..J., Falcaro, P. and Nidetzky, B. Combining Genetically Engineered Oxidase with Hydrogen Bonded Organic Framework (HOF) for Highly Efficient Biocomposites, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022 doi.org/10.1002/anie.202117345

W. Liang, P. Wied, F. Carraro, C. J. Sumby, B. Nidetzky, C.-K. Tsung, P. Falcaro, C. J. Doonan MetalOrganic Framework-Based Enzyme Biocomposites Chemical Reviews 2021, 121, 3, 1077–1129. DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01029

Liang, W.; Carraro, F.; Solomon, M. B.; Bell, S. G.; Amenitsch, H.; Sumby, C. J.; White, N. G.; Falcaro, P.; Doonan, C. J. Enzyme Encapsulation in a Porous Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework.  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 36, 14298-14305. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b06589

Prospective postdoctoral fellows

Prospective postdoctoral fellows should consider applying for various suitable fellowships: EU residents - Marie Curie Fellowship UK residents - Royal Society Fellowships Japan - JSPS Fellowships USA - National Science Foundation Fellowships

Master Theses

Several Master Theses are currently available in porous crystals and bio-composites (see one example below). Students are encouraged to contact Prof. Falcaro for additional information.

Master Thesis: Metal-organic frameworks biocomposites for SARS-CoV-2 detection

We are looking for master students interested in the synthesis and characterization of metal oxide nanostructures, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF-based biocomposites.

The project. “SARS-CoV-2 Multi-Messenger Monitoring for Occupational Health & Safety” (SARS 3M) is a joint project by TU Graz and Sapienza University (Rome, Italy) aimed to join forces to strengthen health and safety in response to new challenges posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic. SARS 3M is developing innovative nanotechnology-based platform to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other toxic bio-agents in the workplace. By fusing the advanced nanotechnology-based platforms (i.e. Metal-organic Frameworks, MOFs) and high-sensitivity vibrational spectroscopy, we are developing a versatile, fast and economic tool with high sensitivity and selectivity to enhance protection from and prevention of viral infection spread. MOFs have demonstrated unprecedented properties suitable for applications in protection and delivery of biopharmaceuticals, biosensing, biocatalysis, and cell and virus manipulations. At TU Graz, the group of Prof. Falcaro is focusing on the preparation Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) biocomposites and their integration into vibrational spectroscopy based bio-agents detectors.

Objectives. The master thesis will be framed in the context of the SARS 3M project. The thesis will tackle specific tasks within the project. One example is the possibility of focusing on the integration of biomacromolecules in MOFs. Another example is the development of experimental set-ups for the preparation of metal oxide nanostructures. Further details can be discussed upon appointment.

Financing. 6 months “Forschungsbeihilfe im Rahmen einer Studienausbildung” positions funded by the SARS 3M project (NATO Science for Peace and Security programme, 400€/month).

Desired starting date. ASAP and/or September 2023.