amphiphilic comb polymers that selectively recognize, engulf, and neutralize antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Our ambition is to create drug-free, living-like therapeutics, based on the PSCs, opening radical new avenues in the fight against multidrug resistance.
The PhD project: " Unravelling antimicrobial mechanism of phagocytic synthetic cell"
We have developed specially design polymer vesicles having the ability to kill bacteria by a completely new physical mechanism, agnostic to bacterial mutation and antibiotic resistance. Yet it remains to be understood the underlying principles behind this behavior. The objectives of this thesis are to dissect how the interactions between the vesicle membrane and the periphery of Gram positive and negative bacteria and determine the mechanism of killing and how this can be optimized through the molecular design of the building blocks. For that we will study the interactions of PSCs with bacterial surrogate and model non-pathogenic strains with a number of biophysic techniques, including optical (confocal, FRAP, FCS, etc), electron (cryo-TEM, FESEM), and force microscopy, as well as optical tweezers and the presence of electric field.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- To assemble bacteria surrogate vesicles.
- Monitor the different modes of interactions with PSCs
- Identify the key factors driving the destabilization of the membrane.
- Collaborate with simulation specialist to connect the physical observation with the chemical structure of the PSCs building block as well as any emergent behavior it may arise.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- An excellence-driven, highly motivated, ambitious, resilient person who loves interdisciplinary fundamental research and applications in medicine.
- Master’s in physic, biophysics or physical chemistry.
- Experience supramolecular assembly and coacervates as well as their characterization.
- Experience in optical microscopy including Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy, as well as in cryo-TEM and AFM.
- Experience in macromolecular characterization by NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEC, DSC, TGA, TEM.
- Competencies and skills: Communication, Teamwork and collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, Critical and Analytical thinking.
- High level of English
- Align with team’s values and vision
Advantageous: Additional valuable experience or knowledge (not compulsory): microscopy, microbiology, previous work with antimiocrobials, soft-matter, nanoscience, biophysics, microscopy, and biomembrane systems
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 01/09/2026
- Full time 3-year contract.
