John Abendroth

Adolphe Merkle Institute (Université de Fribourg) is advertising multiple research openings in nanoscience, polymer chemistry, materials science, physics, and related interdisciplinary areas. Postdoctoral position: Vibrational Mapping of Mechanical Deformation in Polymers — The Mechanoresponsive Materials Group (Prof. Jessica Clough) seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop a novel mechano-Raman imaging platform. The project combines vibrational force probe design, Raman microscopy, molecular design, materials preparation, and characterization to study how polymers respond to stress at the molecular level and to reveal early-stage damage in functional materials. The work is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Andreas Zumbusch (University of Konstanz), with access to advanced Raman imaging capabilities. Applicants should hold a PhD in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials science, or a related field, and have experience in organic/polymer synthesis; microscopy or spectroscopy experience is an advantage. The position is available immediately for 1 year, with possible extension to 2 years, at 90–100% employment. PhD position: Quantum Sensing of Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity — The Quantum Sensing & Spin Chemistry Group (Assistant Prof. John Abendroth) invites applications for an ERC-funded PhD project on chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS). The project uses diamond-based quantum sensors, fluorescent NV centers, confocal microscopy, optically detected magnetic resonance, and spin dynamics simulations to probe radical pairs in chiral molecules at the single-molecule level. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; experience in quantum engineering or NMR/EPR is beneficial, and optics, high-frequency electronics, and programming skills are highly valued. Two PhD positions: Strong Localisation of Light through the Controlled Assembly of Amorphous Patchy Colloid Networks — The Soft Matter Physics Group (Prof. Ullrich Steiner) is recruiting two PhD students to study strong light scattering and the interplay of order and disorder in colloidal networks. One project focuses on colloid synthesis and assembly; the other on replication into high-refractive-index materials such as silicon or titania. The students will also use molecular dynamics and optical simulations. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Physics; experience in polymer or colloid science and some optics knowledge are desirable. Two PhD positions: Polymer Mechanochemistry — The Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. Christoph Weder) is seeking two PhD students to work on supramolecular mechanophores, their incorporation into polymeric materials, and their mechanoresponsive behavior. The project is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer, or Materials Science, with experience in organic and polymer synthesis and strong English communication skills. Applications are submitted by email as a single PDF, with a CV, motivation/research statement, and references, using the project-specific subject line. The postdoctoral deadline is 2026-04-26; the PhD positions are available immediately or as soon as possible.

The Adolphe Merkle Institute at the University of Fribourg is offering a fully funded PhD position in the Quantum Sensing & Spin Chemistry Group led by Assistant Professor John Abendroth. This project, titled Quantum Sensing of Radical Chemistry in Biomimetic Thin Films , explores the growth and chemical reactivity of nanoscale biomimetic coatings such as polydopamine and related catechol-derived materials. These coatings are scientifically important because they have potential applications in biomedicine, environmental technologies, and functional interfaces, yet the radical processes involved in their formation and reactivity remain poorly understood. The successful candidate will optimize the growth of polydopamine and related nanoscale films, then characterize them using complementary surface and materials analysis methods. The research will further investigate chemical reactions under controlled flow conditions and use ensembles of fluorescent nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers to map stable radical spin populations within the films. The experiments will study film growth in real time and examine changes triggered 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 PhD researcher will work closely with researchers developing the quantum sensing instrumentation and flow-cell platform. There will also be opportunities to present at international conferences, publish in leading journals, and mentor Master’s-level projects. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Experience in thin-film growth/characterization, NV-center magnetometry or diamond quantum sensing, or magnetic resonance spectroscopy/imaging is strongly desired. Good English proficiency, independent experimental ability, teamwork, and strong communication skills are essential. Backgrounds in surface characterization, optical microscopy, and quantitative data analysis are valued. The position is based at the Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, with an anticipated start date of March 2027. Applications are accepted until 2026-11-22. This is a full-time, temporary PhD appointment with attractive employment conditions in a highly collaborative and well-equipped research environment. To apply, send one PDF containing a CV, motivation letter, and contact information for two references by email to [email protected] with the subject line “PhD Quantum Sensing”.