Dear Colleague,
We have 2 graduate positions available immediately to work at our lab.
Could you pass the following information to people who may be
interested.
We have previously sent you the same message as an attachment, but
unfortunately, in many cases this file could not be read.
P. Gast/ A.J. Hoff
TWO GRADUATE STUDENT POSITIONS IN LEIDEN
In the Department of Biophysics of Leiden University, The Netherlands,
two graduate student (PhD) positions are offered for
(BIO)PHYSICISTS or PHYSICAL CHEMISTS
who are interested in applying various magnetic resonance techniques
for unravelling the fundamental molecular mechanisms of solar energy
conversion in plant photosynthesis.
The Magnetic Resonance Group of the department has a longstanding
tradition of applying sophisticated electron paramagnetic resonance
methods to obtain information on the structure and function of the
photosynthetic apparatus that cannot be obtained by other methods. The
techniques comprise state-of-the-art time-resolved flash photolysis EPR
equipment at a number of microwave frequencies ranging from 2 to 130 GHz,
pulsed EPR, including 1D and 2D Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation
(ESEEM) and pulsed Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy,
optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), and magnetophotoselection
experiments, all at variable temperatures down to 1.2 kelvin.
Several of the experimental set-ups have been developed in our own
laboratory. The first project involves the investigation of spin-isotope
labelled tyrosine and quinone cofactors of so-called Photosystem II of
plants with a variety of EPR methods, including 1D and 2D ESEEM, pulsed
ENDOR and time- resolved EPR at various frequencies in the range 2-130
GHz. The second project involves the development and implementation of a
new ODMR spectroscopy, in which changes in the circular dichroism of the
photosynthetic preparation are measured and correlated with the detailed
structure of the cofactors and their protein environment.
The two projects represent two different approaches aiming at
understanding the mechanisms of photosynthetic energy conversion in
sufficient detail to make it possible to develop environment-friendly
biomimetic solar energy cells that harvest sunlight and convert it into
sustainable chemical and electrical energy. The projects are embedded in
a TMR Network of the European Union, comprising groups in Athens,
Berlin, London, Munich, Oxford, Padova and Paris, which coordinates the
investigations aimed at developing a source of sustainable energy.
The positions offered are each for a four-year term, and can be occupied
as of now. Gross salary will start at 2374 Dutch Guilders/month plus DG
700/month special allowance, with yearly increases to DG 4037/month in
the fourth year. Candidates should preferably have some experience with
EPR or related spectroscopies. Experience in photosynthesis research is
appreciated but not necessary. They should submit a full resume,
including a list of papers and practical works, and name and addresses
(with phone, fax and email) of at least two referents.
Further information about the Magnetic Resonance Group can be found at
the website of the Biophysics Department, with a description of current
research and a list of recent papers:
http://www.biophys.leidenuniv.nl/research/RCs/
For more information on the two projects contact
Prof.Dr. A.J. Hoff
phone +31-71-5275955
fax +31-71-5275819
email hoff at biophys.leidununiv.nl
or
Dr. P. Gast
phone +31-71-5275979
email gast at biophys.leidenuniv.nl
Applications should be sent to
Prof.Dr. A.J. Hoff
Biophysics Department
Huygens Laboratory
Leiden University
P.O. Box 9504
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands
