Dear Colleagues,
Could you please bring the following PhD position announcement at Synchrotron SOLEIL to motivated master students:
PhD position: “Photoelectron Circular Dichroism (PECD) on chiral systems including biomolecules”
PECD in the angular distribution of photoelectrons produced by photoionization with Circularly-Polarized Light (CPL) of pure enantiomers of a chiral system is observed as a very intense forward/backward asymmetry with respect to the photon axis which reveals the chirality of the molecule. PECD happens to be orbital-specific and photon energy dependent, and is a very subtle probe of the molecular potential being very sensitive to static molecular structures such as conformers, chemical substitution, clustering, as well as to vibrational motion. For a complete recent review see: L. Nahon, G. A. Garcia and I. Powis, J. Elec. Spec. Rel. Phen. 204 (2015) 322.
The main focus of the PhD project will be on biomolecules and more specifically amino-acids brought in the gas phase via various methods. Among the goals of such a study will be a conformer analysis at several temperatures as well as the possible confirmation that PECD could be linked to the origin of life’s homochirality. This work may be extended to the corresponding chiral nanoparticules.
Applications are invited to work within the group of Laurent Nahon (DESIRS beamline) as part of a European funded project at Synchrotron SOLEIL. The post benefits from an attractive salary, plus mobility and family allowances as applicable. The successful candidates will be part of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Network, “ASPIRE”, and will also register for a PhD at Université Paris-Sud (Orsay) part of Université Paris-Saclay. The overarching research goal of the ASPIRE project is the measurement of “molecular frame” (MF) photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) from isolated molecules of varying complexity. The ASPIRE network comprises 9 member institutions throughout Europe, from both academia and industry, together with 6 partner organisations. A total of 12 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be hosted across the network and will take part in laboratory-based research, a network-wide training program, public engagement activities and collaboration with network partners through short-term placements in European industrial/academic partner laboratories. Details of all available projects can be found at: www.ASPIRE-ITN.eu
Successful candidate will possess a Master (or equivalent) degree in a relevant subject (Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Physics) together with excellent English communication skills. Previous experience in fields such as molecular beams, isolated nanoparticles, biomolecule spectroscopy, electron and/or mass spectroscopy would be a real plus.
The EU ITN requires mobility and the candidate must have spent less than 12 months of the last 3 years in France.
This full-time post will be available from September/October 2016 and is offered on a fixed-term 36 month contract at Synchrotron SOLEIL, located in the Paris suburbs (Saint-Aubin).
Informal enquiries may be addressed to the supervisor Laurent Nahon - [log in to unmask]
Applications should include a cover/motivation letter, resume (CV), Bachelor and/or master’s degree transcript as well as the name of 2 or 3 references. Applications should be done on-line at:
http://candidature.synchrotron-soleil.fr/VotreCandidature/?ref=PHD-ASPIRE
The application should be completed by April 30th 2016 to receive full attention, with interviews expected to be held in May 2016. If no suitable candidates are identified by April 30th, the position will remain open until filled.
For a complete PhD description see : http://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr/images/File/soleil/DivisionAdministration/Personnel/2015/SOLEIL_PhD_DESIRS%202016(1).pdf
For more information on the research on the VUV high resolution variable polarization beamline DESIRS. See http://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr/Recherche/LignesLumiere/DESIRS
Best regards
Laurent Nahon
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