Summary
The International Max Planck Research School for Functional Material Design (IMPRS-FMD) is inviting applications for a doctoral research position on the project “From well-defined glycans to responsive nanomaterials.” The project focuses on developing sequence-defined polysaccharide block polymers using automated glycan assembly and enzymatic methods, and investigating how their molecular sequence controls nanoscale structure and responsive behavior.
The research combines organic chemistry, glycan synthesis, materials science, electron microscopy, computational modelling, and mathematical approaches to develop new sequence-encoded responsive nanomaterials.
PhD Position: From Well-Defined Glycans to Responsive Nanomaterials – IMPRS-FMD
Designation
PhD / Doctoral Research Position
Project
Project 03 – From well-defined glycans to responsive nanomaterials
Principal Investigator
Martina Delbianco, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPI-KG)
Collaborators
- Yu Ogawa, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
- Myfanwy Evans, University of Potsdam
Research Area
- Glycan and polysaccharide chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Materials science
- Functional nanomaterials
- Sequence-defined polymers
- Automated glycan assembly
- Enzymatic synthesis
- Self-assembly of biomaterials
- Responsive materials
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
- Electron diffraction (ED)
- Molecular modelling
- Computational and mathematical modelling
- Applied geometry and topology
Location
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces / University of Potsdam, Germany
Eligibility / Qualification
Applicants should have:
- An MSc degree in Chemistry or a related subject.
- Experience in organic chemistry and/or materials science.
- Motivation to learn new characterization techniques.
- Interest in molecular modelling and computational approaches.
- Ability to work independently and think critically.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills.
- Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.
Job Description
The project aims to overcome limitations of naturally sourced polysaccharides, which typically exhibit heterogeneous chain lengths, branching patterns, and substitution profiles.
The doctoral researcher will work on the development of well-defined glycan block polymers with programmable sequences using automated glycan assembly (AGA) and enzymatic methods.
The research will include:
- Expanding the structural space of sequence-defined polysaccharides.
- Investigating how block identity, length, and sequence influence self-assembly.
- Studying the relationship between molecular sequence and nanoscale morphology.
- Exploring stimuli-responsive structural transformations triggered by factors such as:
- Humidity
- Temperature
- pH
- Characterizing nanomaterials using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED).
- Applying computational modelling and mathematical approaches to understand observed geometries.
- Identifying design principles linking molecular sequence to material structure.
- Developing principles for the predictive design of sequence-encoded responsive materials.
The project builds on previous work demonstrating that a defined cellulose-xylan diblock polysaccharide can display different self-assembled structures depending on the assembly conditions, including cellulose-like fibers and xylan-like hexagonal platelets.
Duration
The doctoral period is four years, with doctoral students employed under a four-year work contract.
How to Apply
Before applying, candidates should carefully read the project description and IMPRS-FMD application requirements.
Applicants must prepare one single PDF file containing:
- A one-page motivation letter explaining why you are applying for the specific project.
- CV including relevant personal/contact information.
- List of degrees, courses, workshops, tutorials, and university projects.
- A maximum one-page summary of your MSc thesis or equivalent work.
- Copy of your MSc degree certificate.
- Contact information of at least one MSc supervisor.
Application Procedure
Submit the complete application through the “Application” button on the project webpage or by email to:
application@imprs.mpikg.mpg.de
If submitting by email, mention Project 03 in the subject line.
The application file should be named:
“Your Name Application Project 03”
Email subject:
“IMPRS Application – Project 03”
The complete application must be submitted as one PDF file. If the file exceeds 45 MB, reduce its size before submission.
Contact
Martina Delbianco: martina.delbianco@mpikg.mpg.de
Yu Ogawa: yu.ogawa@mpikg.mpg.de
Myfanwy Evans: evans@uni-potsdam.de
For general questions about IMPRS, contact:
Last Date to Apply
15 September 2026 (Tuesday)
Additional Information
The IMPRS-FMD aims to start doctoral research projects as soon as possible and before the end of 2026.
Candidates may apply to more than one project, but they must submit a separate complete application for each project.
The doctoral position also includes support through a welcome service to assist new researchers with housing and other practical matters.
Paper to read before the interview:
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2024, e202410634.
