PhD position in the field of membrane active peptides at the Research Centre for Natural Sciences

The Biomolecular self-assembly “Momentum” research group is looking for a PhD student to conduct primarily experimental work addressing the design, synthesis and biophysical interactions of natural and non-natural peptides with model membranes, to reach preferentially antimicrobial activity. The aim of the research project is to gain further insight into the governing rules of lipid associated conformational changes upon membrane insertion.

The Host Institute, RCNS, is a new, yet highly competitive research center aiming to be one of the leading institutes in natural sciences. The Centre provides a stimulating environment due to a wide range of researches with a significant number of them conducting BSc, MSc, PhD or Post-Doc programs. The Biological Soft Matter Platform is located at the Institute of Materials Chemistry, where the applicant will have access to a state of the art infrastructure including ATR-IR, UV spectroscopy, polarized light spectrometers, ITC calorimeter, custom made small- and wide angle X-ray (SAXS and WAXS) scattering, AFM, DSC, DLS, and transmission electron microscopy combined with a freeze-fracture device (FF-TEM). The group is closely collaborating with experts of the field from the Institute of Enzymology, and Semmelweis University where access to a wide range of further techniques is granted. The Biological Soft Matter Platform coordinates several major Academy-Industry programs focusing on EVs, exosomes and membrane active biomolecules, where the successful candidate will have the possibility to spend secondments and gain experience in the private sector as well.

For further information, please visit ttk.mta.hu or bionano.ttk.mta.hu .