The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sussex is offering a
fully funded PhD-Studentship
under the supervision of Dr Mark Osborne
(http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/osbornelab)
Single Molecule Photophysics of Quantum Dots and Applications to
Super-Resolution Imaging
Quantum dots (QDs), are now widely used as fluorescent probes in
biological imaging, sensitizers in solar cells and electroluminescent
sources in LED and display technologies. QDs offer superior, brightness
and long term photostability compared to flourescent dyes or
proteins, but display instabilities that can be detrimental to their
performance. Fluorescence intermittency (FI), photoluminescence
enhancement (PLE) and photoinduced bluing (PIB) are properties that
collectively are not well understood.
We have developed a simple but comprehensive model of QD photodynamics
that is fully parameterised and testable. The project aims
to test the model against varying QD core-shell compositional and
structural properties. Single molecule spectroscopy will be used to
investigate FI, PLE and spectral diffusion and bluing. In addition, we
aim to develop and apply novel, time-resolved imaging techniques
to explore QD photophysics over the full dynamic range in time, from
ps-hrs. Standard and modified synthetic routes to core-shell
nanocrystals will be employed to investigate photodynamic control via
shell and surface modification. A quantitative and predictive
model of QD photophysics is expected to impact the rational design of
QDs to engineer-in or -out the properties of FI, PLE or PIB
for specific applications. We aim to apply QDs in the development of a
novel super-resolution imaging technique for molecular
counting and structural resolution in protein-protein interactions.
The project involves a level of collaboration between chemists,
engineers and biologists in the Genome Damage and Stability Centre
and provides an opportunity for cross-disciplinary interaction and
experience.
Applications are invited from students with an appropriate background in
chemistry, physical chemistry or chemical physics,
with an interest in spectroscopy, microscopy and simulation. In addition
the knowledge of or experience in nanoparticle synthesis
may be an advantage. The studentship is available to UK/EU applicants
only and candidates must have received at least a
2:1 or equivalent in their first degree.
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr. Mark Osborne by email:
[log in to unmask] or tel: 01273 678328
Formal applications should be made using our online application system
at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/
or to the Research& Enterprise Co-ordinator, Deeptima Massey
([log in to unmask]).
--
Dr Mark Osborne
Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
School of Life Sciences
University of Sussex
Brighton BN1 9QJ
UK
T: 01273 678328
E: [log in to unmask]
W: www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/osbornelab
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