PhD Student Positions in Ultrafast Vibrational Spectroscopy

Department of Chemistry
PhD Student Positions in Ultrafast Vibrational Spectroscopy
60 %
Several PhD positions are available at the Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Switzerland. The general topic of our work is the structure and dynamics of complex molecular systems investigated by ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy such as transient-IR spectroscopy, 2D IR spectroscopy and 2D-Raman-THz spectroscopy.
More specifically, PhD positions are available in the following research fields:
(1) Dynamic response of allosteric proteins and/or photoreceptors upon the photo-triggering a natural or an artificially added chromophore. To get a flavour of the work, please have a look at the following publications:

• B. Jankovic, J. Ruf, C. Zanobini, O. Bozovic, D. Buhrke, and P. Hamm, Sequence of Events During Peptide Unbinding from RNase S: A Complete Experimental Description, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2021, 21, 5201-5207
• O. Bozovic, J. Ruf, C. Zanobini, B. Jankovic, D. Buhrke, P. J. M. Johnson, and P. Hamm, The Speed of Allosteric Signaling Within a Single-Domain Protein, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2021, 12, 4262-4267

(2) Elucidating the reaction cycles of molecular and solid-state CO2 reduction systems by time-resolved IR and 2D IR spectroscopy. This project is a follow up of our work in photocatalytic water splitting, and representative publications are (albeit not yet on CO2 reduction):

• R. Fernández-Terán and P. Hamm, A Closer Look into the Distance Dependence of Vibrational Energy Transfer on Surfaces Using 2D ATR-IR Spectroscopy, J. Chem. Phys., 2020, 153, 154706
• Rodenberg, M. Orazietti, B. Probst, C. Bachmann, R. Alberto, K. K. Baldridge and P. Hamm Mechanism of photocatalytic hydrogen generation by a polypyridyl-based cobalt catalyst in aqueous solution, Inorg. Chem., 2015, 54, 646-657

Your responsibilities
Integrated in an international research group consisting of a mix of PhD students and Postdocs, and of Chemist and Physicist, you will first adapt existing experimental instrumentation to the specific needs of the planned experiments, and then pursue the laser-based spectroscopic measurements.
Your profile
The candidate must hold a Master's degree in Chemistry/Physics/interdisciplinary Natural Sciences or a closely related field. Besides a solid background in Physical Chemistry, some knowledge of standard biochemistry techniques (project 1) or electrochemistry (project 2), respectively will be advantageous. Strong communication and writing skills in English are required.
What we offer
We offer excellent research conditions in a brand new laboratory building, above-average salaries, the high quality of life in the city of Zurich and its surrounding, as well as the possibility to work in fascinating interdisciplinary research fields. Salary starts from 47'040 CHF/year and increases to 50'040 CHF/year in the 3rd year.
Place of work
Prof. Dr. Peter Hamm
University of Zurich (Irchel Campus)
Department of Chemistry
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zurich
Start of employment
Employment start date to be mutually agreed.
We look forward to receiving your application as a single PDF file including a cover letter stating your motivation for this position, a CV and copies of degrees.
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