POSTDOC POSITION IN MICROBIOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL METAL MATERIALS

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POSTDOC POSITION IN MICROBIOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL METAL MATERIALS

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Job description

Offer DescriptionCONTEXT AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONThe postdoctoral position is affiliated with the International Chair of Andrew Gellman, full Professor of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (PA, USA). This chair is a five year project funded by the E2S UPPA (Energy Environment Solutions) Initiative ( ). The international chair project is aimed at developing multicomponent materials for Energy and Environmental technologies. It is a close partnership between two academic laboratories, IPREM (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for the Environment and Materials – ), and the College of Engineering ( ) at Carnegie Mellon University (USA, Pittsburgh).Touch surfaces in high human traffic areas can become vectors for disease propagation through indirect contact between infected and vulnerable persons. This pathogen transfer mechanism makes it critical to develop self-sanitizing materials which are effective against a broad range of pathogens. High-traffic surfaces are often made of metals and alloys that achieve antimicrobial activity by different mechanisms against diverse pathogens. By leveraging these mechanisms synergistically, a solid-solution alloy of these elements may be active against a range of pathogens larger than the sum of its parts, resulting in an antimicrobial super alloy.In this context, the main objectives of the position will be dedicated to the characterization of the antimicrobial activity of multicomponent metal alloys materials in order to identify the alloy compositions with possible antimicrobial super alloy candidates.MISSIONSThe main missions of the position will be to characterize at UPPA (Pau) the physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties of the materials prepared at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg.These materials are prepared through a Composition Spread Alloy Film (CSAF) methodology that relies on physical vapour deposition using electron beam sources under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions1. Several metals and metal alloys could be tested including Ag, Ni, Co or Cu… Gold single component or gold alloy surfaces could also be created as control material to assess the real cytotoxicity of the antimicrobial metals of interest.The antimicrobial activity will be evaluated through two approaches. First, bacterial adhesion on metal surfaces will be to assess by fluorescence microscopy, using Pseudomonas fluorescens and Shewanella oneidensis as model bacteria. The second approach will be to measure the antimicrobial activity of the metal surface through assays in solution using Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as gram negative and gram-positive bacteria models. The main goal would be to evaluate the probable toxicity of the materials throughout metal ions release mechanisms.

The characterization of the adhesion properties will be evaluated by Scanning Auger Mapping (SAM) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ions Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging in order to establish a correlation between the chemical composition of the metal alloys and the amount of bacteria cells adhering to the surface. In addition, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry will be implemented through live and dead cell labeling methods using suitable dyes in order to evaluate the cytotoxicity both through adhesion and solution-based assays.1 .C. Ferris, N. Golio, H. Martinez and A. J. Gellman, Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 8660-8675.TASKS AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIESThe candidate will be in charge of different tasks and responsibilities including :

• The characterization of bacterial growth, adhesion and antimicrobial activity using classical microbiology technics and epifluorescence microscopy
• The imaging and the physico-chemical characterization of materials surface Scanning Electron Microscopy, Auger spectroscopy and ToF-SIMS spectrometry
• Organization of meetings, reports and publication writing in strong interactions with our US partner

Where to apply E-mailjoachim.allouche@univ-pau.frRequirementsResearch Field Biological sciences » Other Education Level PhD or equivalentSkills/QualificationsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLSThe candidate should have the following skills and expertises :

• A PhD in microbiology
• A strong experience in bioimaging and/or imaging of cells or bacteria (SEM, fluorescence microscopy…)
• Knowledge of spectroscopy and spectrometry techniques is appreciated.
• Autonomy, dynamism, creativity, english fluent and good communication skills.

Languages ENGLISH Level GoodLanguages FRENCH Level BasicResearch Field Biological sciences » Other Years of Research Experience 1 – 4Additional InformationBenefitsGross Salary Range: 3015 brut euros / monthSelection processAPPLICATIONS AND DEADLINE

• The deadline for submitting the application is 15/09/2024.
• Please submit your application by email to

, , * Please attach the following documents as a single PDF file with your application : CV, motivation letter, a brief description of research interests, a contact information for at least one professional reference…

• For additional information please contact:

Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute IPREM CNRS/UPPA UMR 5254 Country France State/Province Aquitaine City Pau Postal Code 64000 Street Technopole Helioparc, 2 avenue du président AngotContact State/ProvinceChoisir une province CityPau WebsiteStreetTechnopole Helioparc Postal Code64000 E-Mailjoachim.allouche@univ-pau.fr Phone0540175075STATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Job date

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:49:35 GMT

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