CANADA: Antibacterial chitosan-based biomaterials

Salary range: < 25,000 € annual gross

Recruiting organization: École Polytechnique de Montréal

Workplace: Montréal – CANADA

Skill area: Engineering – Chemical engineering, cold plasmas – Social Sciences

Posting date: 5/6/2011

For more information on Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, visit:

http://www.polymtl.ca/

Subject of the thesis:

This project aims at enhancing chitosan antimicrobial properties by optimizing its physical form and better controlling the physicochemical chitosan/bacteria interactions. Various physical forms of chitosan (films, microspheres and nanobeads) will be investigated in terms of their impact on antimicrobial properties. To further inhibit bacterial growth, the chemical grafting of specific molecules on chitosan functionalizable groups will be undertaken. The project involves material preparation, chemical grafting, extensive physicochemical characterization and microbial assays. Chitosan antimicrobial prototypes will be combined to existing meat and food packaging materials.

The Ph.D. project will also involve an internship at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Food Science.

Candidates profile:

Ph.D. candidates with a background in Chemical Engineering or Materials Science