2 PhD Studentships in Biophysics and Soft Matter - Investigating the Mesocule

Biomaterials have the propensity to exhibit hierarchical structures organised on multiple length-scales, which emerge from molecular and supra-molecular self-assembly. They are at the heart of traditional NZ industries, and indeed in the hearts of every New Zealander. Casein micelles and their assemblies in our dairy products, cellulose fibres in our wood and fruits, keratins in our wool and protein filaments in our food all exhibit hierarchical structures at the meso-scale. These “mesocules” connect the bottom to the top, and it is at this scale where we will yield new knowledge with the application of state-of-the-art biophysical tools.

Two studentships are offered for this new research project.

One will be based at Massey University in Palmerston North,working with Associate Professor Bill Williams, and will work towards a PhD degree pursing methodologies for the computational modeling of biopolymeric networks; being informed by the measured mesoscale parameters and predicting the bulk properties of assembled soft materials. Students interested in this position should seek further information from Assoc. Prof. Martin (Bill) Williams, m.williams@massey.ac.nz.

The other will be based at Victoria University in Wellington working with Professor Kathryn McGrath and will work towards a PhD degree developing experimental tools appropriate for the measurement of the emergent bulk mechanical properties of assembled fibre networks. Experimental techniques to be used include rheology, cryo-scanning electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Students interested in this position should seek further information from Prof. Kathryn McGrath, kate.mcgrath@vuw.ac.nz.