Two PhD positions available in Prague for students interested in Biophysics, Chemistry or Material Science

Type of job: full-time

Two PhD positions available in Prague for students interested in Biophysics, Chemistry or Material Science

We offer two fully funded PhD positions at Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic starting in September 2021. The positions are part of a five-year project developing a new method for spatial manipulation of light at the nanoscale by assembly of plasmonic nanostructures. We aim to use this method to advance visualization of densely packed biomolecules and their dynamics.

One PhD student will be working on assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles and fluorophores using DNA origami and on tailoring metallic nanoparticles for specific plasmonic enhancement. The other PhD student will focus on visualization with plasmonic nanoparticles using single molecule microscopy techniques. The candidate will choose one of the Ph.D. programs at University of Chemistry and Technology or at Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic.

We expect the candidate will hold a Master degree (or equivalent) in life sciences, chemistry, physics, or engineering before assuming the position. An ideal candidate should be curious and enthusiastic to learn about nanoparticle assembly and superresolution microscopy. We value self-motivation and the ability to think independently. Good communication and time management skills are vital. Previous experience with nanoparticles, self-assembly, or microscopy techniques is an advantage.

If interested, please send your CV and motivation letter to recruitment@jh-inst.cas.cz before March 15, 2021. For questions, please,contact Vladimíra Petráková vladimira.petrakova@jh-inst.cas.cz. Please, write in the subject line of your email SC2021_03.

Details of the PhD topics:

Tailoring metallic nanoparticles for specific plasmonic enhancement

The focus of the work will be on assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles and fluorescent nanoparticles using DNA origami. Metal nanostructures are capable of massive enhancements of optical response, which arise from collective electromagnetic resonances called plasmons. The PhD work will consist of characterization of plasmon resonance (bulk and single particle) of metallic nanoparticles, DNA functionalization of plasmonic nanoparticles and optimization of the process of their self-assembly to desired orientation. Developed assemblies will serve to study spatial manipulation of light by plasmons.

Visualization with plasmonic nanoparticles using single molecule microscopy techniques

The focus of the work will be on evaluating the magnitude of the fluorescence shifts and enhancement of plasmon-coupled fluorophores using single molecule localization microscopy and time-resolved single molecule spectroscopy. Single molecule localization microscopy overcomes the diffraction limit by calculating the center positions of a fluorescent spot based on the known point spread function of the optical microscope. While plasmonic coupling is known to strongly increase the number of emitted photons from a fluorophore, it also appears to affect the position of the emission. The work will consist of visualization of assembled fluorophores with and withoutz plasmonic nanoparticles, data analysis and statistics.

Contact:
Vladimíra Petráková

E-mail:
recruitment@jh-inst.cas.cz

Updated: 2.3.2021