Open positions

Interested in nanoscience research? Please remember to check this page where we regularly post job offers for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scientists at the Adolphe Merkle Institute. Chemistry, materials science, analytics, physics, and biophysics are all at the core of our scientific projects. We offer a uniquely stimulating interdisciplinary research environment, state-of-the-art laboratories, excellent working conditions, competitive salaries, and outstanding career prospects. Our alumni regularly take up attractive positions in academia, public research organizations, and industry around the world.

  • PhD position - Quantum Sensing of Radical Chemistry in Biomimetic Thin Films

    The Adolphe Merkle Institute’s Quantum Sensing & Spin Chemistry Group (Assistant Prof. John Abendroth) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position on “Quantum Sensing of Radical Chemistry in Biomimetic Thin Films.”

    Project: The project focuses on understanding the growth and chemical reactivity of nanoscale biomimetic coatings using diamond-based quantum sensors. Polydopamine and related catechol-derived materials form versatile coatings with applications in biomedicine, environmental technologies, and functional interfaces. However, the radical processes that govern their formation and reactivity remain poorly understood.

    The successful candidate will first optimize the growth of polydopamine and related nanoscale films and characterize them using complementary surface and materials analysis methods. The candidate will subsequently monitor chemical reactions under controlled flow and use ensembles of fluorescent nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers to map stable radical spin populations within the films. Experiments will investigate film growth in real time and probe changes induced by oxidation, light exposure, and metal binding.

    The project combines nanoscale film growth and characterization, interfacial chemistry, and magnetic resonance measurements using wide-field NV microscopy. The candidate will work closely with researchers developing the quantum sensing instrumentation and flow-cell platform. The project includes opportunities to present results at international conferences, publish in leading journals, and mentor Master’s-level projects.

    Requirements: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international environment. The ability to advance a complex experimental project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are essential.

    Candidates should have experience in at least one of the following areas:

    • Growth and characterization of nanoscale thin films or coatings
    • NV-center magnetometry / diamond quantum sensing
    • Magnetic resonance spectroscopy or imaging (EPR/NMR)

    Applicants with background in one area must be enthusiastic about developing expertise in the others. A background in surface characterization, optical microscopy, or quantitative data analysis is also valued.

    We offer: AMI offers attractive employment conditions, a highly collaborative research environment, and outstanding infrastructure in a state-of-the-art research facility. The institute is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect, and provides equal opportunities for all its members. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

    The anticipated start date is March 2027 and the position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of two references as one PDF file via E-mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Quantum Sensing”.

  • PhD Position in the domain of Polymer Mechanochemistry

    AMI’s Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. Christoph Weder and Dr. Linlin Deng) invites applications for a PhD Position in the domain of Polymer Mechanochemistry.

    The project focuses on the design and synthesis of supramolecular mechanophores, the investigation of their mechanoresponsive behavior in polymeric materials, and their application in biological environments for force mapping.

    AMI offers attractive employment conditions, a highly collaborative research environment, and outstanding infrastructure in a state-of-the-art research facility. The institute is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect, and provides equal opportunities for all its members. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

    The PhD student recruited for this project will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team working on complementary aspects of the research. Collaboration will be central to the project's success, and students will benefit from shared expertise, joint problem-solving, and regular team meetings to ensure strong integration across all work packages.

    Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer, or Materials Science, and be motivated to pursue interdisciplinary research within a fast-paced, international team environment. Experience in organic and polymer synthesis, the ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements.

    The positions are available immediately. To apply, please send your CV, a motivation letter, and contact details for at least two references as a single PDF file via E-mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Position Polymer Mechanochemistry”.

  • Two Postdoctoral Positions - Block Copolymer Self-Assembly and Soft Photonics

    We are seeking two postdoctoral researchers to join an SNSF-funded project led by Dr. Andrea Dodero within the Soft Matter Physics group at the Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI), University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

    Host group: Soft Matter Physics, Prof. Ullrich Steiner

    Duration: Initially 1 year, with possible extension

    Start date: January 2027 or by agreement (no later than July 2027)

    Project lead and contact: Dr. Andrea Dodero | andrea.dodero@unifr.ch

    Project background

    Structural color arises when nanoscale architecture selectively reflects light. Our project uses self-assembly inside emulsion droplets to create polymer microparticles with controlled internal nanostructures and optical properties. Funded through the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Project Funding scheme, the research will establish relationships between processing, structure, and color, improve brightness and color purity, and develop pigments with reversible optical responses.

    Position 1 – Confined self-assembly and structural color

    The successful candidate will investigate how polymer chemistry, droplet confinement, and interfacial conditions govern the formation of photonic microparticles. The work will combine emulsification and microfluidics with structural and optical characterization to link particle shape, internal morphology, and domain spacing to reflected color. Predictive design rules will be developed and their transfer to scalable emulsification methods assessed.

    The candidate will also develop responsive photonic pigments through particle alignment and reversible structural changes in response to external stimuli. Optical modulation, response dynamics, and reversibility will be evaluated quantitatively.

    Relevant expertise includes block copolymer self-assembly, polymer or colloid physics, emulsification, microfluidics, electron microscopy, or X-ray scattering.

    Position 2 – Optical enhancement of photonic pigments

    The successful candidate will develop strategies to improve the brightness, color purity, and contrast of photonic pigments. Approaches include the selective incorporation of functional additives or nanoparticles to increase refractive-index contrast, and core-shell architectures with absorbing cores to suppress incoherent scattering. The work will include quantitative evaluation of optical performance and pigment stability.

    Relevant expertise includes polymer-nanoparticle composites, nanoparticle functionalization, emulsion processing, photonic materials, and optical spectroscopy.

    Candidate profile

    We welcome applicants with:

    • A PhD in materials science, polymer science, chemistry, physics, or related discipline, completed (or near completion) by the starting date.
    • A strong experimental research background relevant to one or both positions, and an interest in connecting material structure with optical properties.
    • The ability to plan and conduct research independently, analyze results critically, and communicate findings in scientific publications.
    • Good written and spoken English and a collaborative approach to interdisciplinary research.
    • Expertise in photonic simulations or modeling of self-assembly would be an additional asset.

    Research environment

    The two researchers will lead complementary parts of the project while working closely with Dr. Andrea Dodero and the Soft Matter Physics group. AMI provides facilities for polymer processing, microfluidics, optical and electron microscopy, and spectroscopy, together with access to scattering methods through local and external collaborations. The positions offer opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, publish research, and present results internationally. Both postdoctoral researchers will contribute to supervising PhD students and share responsibilities for day-to-day laboratory management. They will also participate in preparing grant proposals and developing independent research projects.

    How to apply

    Please send your application to Dr. Andrea Dodero at andrea.dodero@unifr.ch, including:

    • A CV including a publication list.
    • A cover letter describing previous and current research, research interests, and motivation for joining the project.
    • The names and contact details of at least two referees.

    Please indicate your preferred position and earliest possible starting date. Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received. The positions will remain open until filled.

    For informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Andrea Dodero at andrea.dodero@unifr.ch.