MBI invites applications for a PhD student (m/f/d) - Environmental effects in time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of biomimetic switches: polarity, proticity, temperature and interface
Description:
In the framework of the recently funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Training Network “Liquid phase Ultrafast photoeMIssion spEctroscopy of nonadiabatic photoREactions in biomimetic systems” (LUMIERE), we offer 10 PhD positions in the field of time-resolved optical and photoelectron spectroscopy, computation and synthetic chemistry of biomimetic molecular switches.
The network runs from the 1st of November 2024 to 31 October 2028 and is funded under the Horizon Europe programme.
The PhD students will work on state-of-the-art projects under the supervision of internationally renowned leading experts in the field. The candidates will be exposed to different scientific environments, including small laboratories, large facilities, research laboratories in the private sector and outreach centers.
The LUMIERE network will provide a wide range of training activities including webinars, scientific courses and specific research training modules offered by the different partners of the network. The training programme will be complemented by schools on outreach activities, cutting-edge scientific topics and innovation management, which will be offered during the lifetime of the network.
For each PhD position, a CV, letter of motivation and transcript of records are required. The documents should be sent to the email address of the contact person of the corresponding PhD project (described below).
A first selection will be made on the basis of the application documents (CV, letter of motivation and transcript of records).
Candidates who pass this first selection step will be invited to an interview with the selection committee of the specific PhD position.
Project details:
Title: Environmental effects in time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of biomimetic switches: polarity, proticity, temperature and interface.
Hosted by: FVB-MBI, Berlin, with the Doctoral candidate registered for a PhD degree from the Free University of Berlin
Objectives:
1) Development of time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) in the liquid phase with UV pump and XUV probe in application to samples of biomimetic chromophores at low concentrations. Investigation of environmental effects on the ultrafast dynamics of chromophores.
2) TRPES investigation of biomimetic switches used and newly developed in the LUMIERE doctoral network.
Expected results:
1) Improved sensitivity and stability of TRPES for different solvents and solutes of low solubility. Experimental protocols for biomimetic samples.
2) Experimental and ab initio investigation of oxopyrolle switches and cinnamic acid (in collaboration with theory partner from the LUMIERE network).
3) Dynamics of novel biomimetic switches developed in LUMIERE.
Techniques to be used:
Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy in liquid phase using femtosecond XUV pulses
Planned secondment(s):
At University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague with Petr Slavíček for data evaluation and comparison with ab initio theory.
At CNRS with Stefan Haacke for training on all optical transient absorption spectroscopy.
At FHI with Bernd Winter for training on static XUV photoemission spectroscopy FHI.
At Advanced Microfluidic Systems GmbH with Stephan Figul, training on liquid jets.
Requirements:
We are seeking highly motivated, talented, and excellent candidates for these positions. Applicants must hold a Master’s or Diploma degree in physics. Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English are required.
Offer:
The gross amount salary will be composed by a monthly living allowance: (3.342,20 € / month) and a mobility allowance (600 € / month). Depending on the researcher’s family situation at the recruitment date also a family allowance (495 € / month) could be paid. This is the employer's gross remuneration subject to tax and social security contributions.
Eligibility criteria:
Doctoral Candidates:
Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
Mobility Rule:
Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention1 are not taken into account. For international European research organisations, international organisations, or entities created under Union law, recruited researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment in the same appointing organisation.
Note that the mobility rule applies to the (first) beneficiary where the researcher is recruited. In case of multiple recruitments, the mobility rule only applies to the first recruitment. Date of Recruitment means the first day of the employment of the researcher for the purposes of the action (i.e. the starting date indicated in the employment contract or equivalent direct contract).
About MSCA Doctoral Networks:
The aim of Doctoral Networks is to implement doctoral programmes through partnerships of organisations from different sectors across Europe and beyond, in order to train highly qualified doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their capacity for innovation and improve their long-term employability.
MBI is an equal-opportunity employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply.
If equally qualified, severely handicapped persons are given preference.
MBI supports the reconcilability of family and working life and is certified by the audit workandfamily (audit berufundfamilie) as a family-friendly employer.
Please upload your application, CV, letter of motivation and transcript of records electronically via the MBI online recruiting platform at https://mbi-berlin.de/career. Official supervision will be given by Dr. Oleg Kornilov at MBI. The position is open until filled.
For further information about the ERC project, please contact Dr. Oleg Kornilov (kornilov@mbi-berlin.de).
