项目介绍

2026年5月14日

The Soft Matter Physics Group at Technical University of Munich investigates complex polymer systems, e.g. responsive polymers, polymer gels, polymers for medical applications and nanostructured polymer thin films. For studies of the structure, dynamics and kinetics of these systems, we mainly use scattering methods and do experiments at large facilities. Time-resolved scattering experiments at large-scale facilities allow us to investigate rapid structural changes. These experiments are complemented by laboratory methods, such as atomic force microscopy and light scattering.

Topic: Thermoresponsive polymers in aqueous solution become water-insoluble above their cloud point temperature and form large, nearly water-free aggregates. This transition temperature is pressure-dependent. Pressure jumps, i.e. fast changes of pressure across the coexistence line, in combination with small-angle X-ray or neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS) allow addressing the aggregation and disintegration processes with unprecedented time resolution. Moreover, the disintegration process can be studied as well. We have so far investigated thermoresponsive homopolymers and have identified a number of processes, which are of relevance for fields as diverse as the processing of polymers, the disintegration of microplastics, the drug release from polymer particles and the dissolution of polymer scaffolds used in tissue engineering.

In the Ph.D. project, you will investigate more complex systems, such as self-assembled micelles from novel polymers. You will design a laboratory setup for time-resolved turbidimetry upon pressure jumps, carry out static and kinetic SAXS and SANS measurements at large facilities and use modern AI-based software for the data analysis.

Macromolecules 52, 6416-6427 (2019). DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00937
RSC Nanoscale 13, 13421-13426 (2021), DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02859f
Langmuir 2024, 40, 1-20. DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02398
Macromolecules 2024, 57, 10263-10274. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c01591

Background: A M.Sc. degree in physics is required as well as a background in polymer science, solid state physics or scattering methods, fluent English and commitment to work in a highly diverse and multicultural research group. Applications from underrepresented groups and women are strongly encouraged.