The GKSS Research Centre is located in Geesthacht near Hamburg, Germany, with a further centre in Teltow near Berlin, and is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF). With its approximately 800 employees it undertakes, in collaboration with universities and industry, research and development in the areas of coastal research, materials research, regenerative medicine, and structure research with neutrons and synchrotron radiation. The Centre for Biomaterial Development of the Institute of Polymer Research of the GKSS in Teltow offers a

PhD Student Position - Code-No. 2009/PB 10 in the fields of Polymer Science and Pharmaceutical Technology for activities in a DFG funded project on new applications of shape-memory polymers. The position will be for three years. You will investigate new capabilities of shape-memory polymers as drug carriers in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology. You will be responsible for the benchwork including polymer synthesis and comprehensive polymer characterization as well as analysis of the properties such as the thermomechanical behaviour of polymer-based drug carriers. Moreover, depending on your personal interest, there will be the opportunity to extent your personal expertise and to participate in the preparation of drug carriers or the biomaterial characterization in cell studies after training by experts in the respective fields. Furthermore, you will actively participate in the publication of the results and the preparation of patent applications. You have a strong background in both polymer and organic chemistry with a Diploma or Master in chemistry with a focus on Polymer Sciences or likewise. You possess practical experience in polymer synthesis and characterization. Advantageously, but not a precondition, would be experiences with shape-memory polymers. Applicants with a strong interest in translational research are especially welcome. You will work in an interdisciplinary team with chemists, pharmacists, material engineers, biologists and scientists of other disciplines in the field of Biomaterial Research especially for Regenerative Medicine. You are speaking English fluently and might even have first experiences in publication of scientific results. The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Andreas Lendlein, head of the GKSS Centre for Biomaterial Development and Chair of Materials for Lifesciences at the University of Potsdam. Upon successful completion of the dissertation project, graduation will be formally received from the University of Potsdam, Germany. We offer an appropriate salary related to TV-AVH as well as the applicable public sector social benefits. The GKSS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer seeking to increase the proportion of female institute members. Qualified women are therefore especially encouraged to apply. Handicapped persons with equivalent qualifications will be preferred. Please send your application indicating job offer Code-No. 2009/PB 10 to GKSSForschungszentrum GmbH, Kantstr. 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany, or to the e-mail address: personal.teltow@gkss.de. Please include your CV, copies of credentials (B.Sc., M.Sc., Diploma), and the names of three referees. For details of the institute, please visit the website at http://biomaterials.gkss.de