microscopy | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

Postdoctoral Position in Bioinorganic Materials, Germany

You will work in a collaborative project of the Max-Planck-Institutes of Microstructure Physics in Halle and the Max-Planck-Institute of Colloid Research in Golm with initial affiliation in Halle. The position is aimed for 1 year with a possibility of an extension for 1 more year.
The intended research is in the field of synthesis, modification, and characterization of properties of materials at the boundary between biomaterials and inorganic materials. The approaches are interdisciplinary and involve gas phase deposition methods, in particular atomic layer deposition (ALD), as well as handling of biomaterials and characterization by microscopy, spectroscopy, and diffraction methods. The candidate will hold a PhD in Chemistry, Physics, or any related field, will have a strong interest in a multidisciplinary work, and an experience in either or multiple of the above techniques.
The position is aimed for an immediate start, thus applications for a soon appointment are explicitly encouraged.

Scholarship Application Deadline: Contact employer

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PhD Position Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy, IGSM, Germany: Metrology in Life Sciences

In bio and food sciences a maximum of information within a cell is required at a minimum of interference, i.e. in vivo research should be performed without disturbing natural processes. In addition, the observations should be quantitative and the gained quantities independent of the applied investigation technique.

We use one-color (1c2p) and two-color-two-photon (2c2p) excitation of laser dyes, NAD(P)H, tryptophan and unlabeled proteins upon excitation around 400 and 800nm using the SHG and fundamental wavelength of a mode locked Ti:Sa femtosecond laser.

In combination with fluorescence lifetime and polarisation measurements this technique is optimal for “in vivo” investigations due to its very good intrinsic 3D resolution, large penetration depth, and especially its independence of fluorescence intensities. Beside the detection of pH or pO2 values, index of diffraction n, or Ca2+ concentrations (with a resolution of 300nm), melanin, NAD(P)H and tryptophan can be directly observed. A discrimination between free and enzyme bound species is possible on a quantitative level without using any calibration procedure. Spores will be analyzed using this technique to get a better understanding of the underlying molecular processes of sporulation.

Scholarship Application Deadline:31 March 2011

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Graduate Research Assistantship: Signalling Pathways in Cardiogenesis, Oxford University, UK

We are looking for a highly motivated graduate research assistant with a BSc and/or MSc in a relevant discipline, an interest in cell signalling, ideally with experience in cell culture, molecular cloning, transfections, cell-based luciferase assays, siRNA techniques (including high-throughput screening), and microscopy. The candidate will work together with a postdoctoral fellow on cell signalling pathways (e.g. BMP, WNT, HH, NOTCH, FGF) that are important in heart formation using cell-based assays.

The post is available from 1 June 2011 for up to five years, and is funded by a British Heart Foundation Programme Grant Award to Professor Shoumo Bhattacharya. Our laboratory is located at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, which provides an outstanding working environment, with excellent core facilities and opportunities for interactions.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 18 February 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application