A postdoctoral position is available immediately in the group of Prof. Bern
Kohler in the Department of Chemistry at The Ohio State University. The
successful candidate for this NIH-funded project will study the
excited-state dynamics of nucleic acids using femtosecond laser
spectroscopy. Through a detailed understanding of the relaxation pathways
for electronic energy, this work provides basic insight into the molecular
mechanisms of DNA photodamage. Our group recently demonstrated that the
lowest singlet excited states of single DNA nucleosides decay in just
hundreds of femtoseconds. Ultrafast nonradiative decay makes DNA highly
photostable, but the detailed mechanism is poorly understood. Work is
underway to study the effects of solvent, temperature, and chemical
substitution on natural and man-made bases. Electronic structure
calculations by our collaborators provide important guidance. Experiments
on di- and polynucleotides will study the effects of base stacking and base
pairing on the photophysics. A major goal is to understand how nucleic acid
conformation influences photochemical and photophysical dynamics.
Our group has a kHz, regeneratively-amplified Ti:Sapphire laser system and
a non-collinear optical parametric amplifier housed in a spacious
laboratory. This widely tunable system is used for femtosecond transient
absorption and fluorescence up-conversion experiments. Expertise in using
and maintaining ultrafast laser instrumentation is highly desirable.
Knowledge of photochemistry and good computer skills are needed.
Familiarity with basic biochemistry/biophysics is helpful, but not
essential. A successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in chemistry or a
closely related discipline. The initial appointment will be for one year
from the date of arrival. Funding is available for additional years upon
mutual agreement. Interested candidates should send a CV, including a
publication list, and the names and contact information (e-mail addresses
and telephone numbers) of three professional refererences to
[log in to unmask] E-mail is preferred, but applications may
also be sent to Prof. Bern Kohler, Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State
University, 100 W. 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA. Additional
information can be obtained by e-mailing Dr. Kohler or by visiting the
group's web site:
http://www.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/~kohler/group/home.html
Columbus is a major American city with inexpensive and attractive housing,
and diverse cultural and entertainment options. The city is expanding its
network of bicycle trails, and an outstanding park system provides nice
walking opportunities through mixed woods at the city's edge. Entertainment
options such as professional sports, opera, sympony, and theater can be
found downtown, a short distance from the university campus.
_________________________________________________
Bern Kohler
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ohio State University
100 W. 18th Ave., Columbus OH 43210
Tel. 614-688-3944 Fax. 614-292-1685
http://www.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/~kohler/group/home.html
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