[Expired] PhD in encapsulation of a photoactivable protein in SiO2 matrices – Sorbonne University, Paris, France

Thesis in molecular biophysics/material science

Our research group at is actively seeking a PhD candidate for a research project on encapsulation of a photoactivable protein, Orange Carotenoid Protein, in silica nanoporous matrices, under the supervision of Dr Alberto Mezzetti. Whereas the subject is of fundamental research, aiming to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of photoactivation at atomic level, applications can be foreseen in artificial photosynthesis, in the development of dye-doped SiO2 fluorescent nanoparticles, and in new mechanisms of drug delivery. Main used techniques will be time-resolved FTIR, Resonance Raman spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD.

The project is at the interface between molecular biophysics and material science, and it will be developed at the Surface Reactivity laboratory UMR 7197 (”Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface”, Mixed unit with French CNRS) of Sorbonne University, Paris, located in the center of the town. The project will be developed in close collaboration with Prof. Jean-François Lambert (LRS) and Dr Diana Kirilovsky, University Paris-Saclay, France.

Salary is around 1400 euros net /month, which can be complemented (~150 euros/month) with some teaching to be delivered in French. Some funding for lodging (depending on the rent) is also provided by the French State. Starting date is October 1st, 2018. Candidature should arrive no later than May 10th, 2018. After a first selection and an informal interview (e.g. by skype), the pre-selected candidate will have to undertake a formal interview by the board of teachers of the doctoral school in physical chemistry of materials at Sorbonne University in June 2018. Interviews normally take place in Paris, but some exceptions may be considered for candidates applying from outside western Europe or in special cases.

The ideal candidate is highly motivated physical chemist with strong interest in molecular biophysics, and some experience on interactions between protein or peptides and inorganic surfaces. Knowledge of vibrational spectroscopy and/or nanoporous materials is a plus. Good knowledge of English is mandatory. Knowledge of French is not necessary bu it is a plus. The name of two references (one of which should be the Master’s thesis supervisor) are required. Applicant should have obtained their M.Sc. before the summer 2018.

NB: Due to strict rules of the doctoral school, only candidates with a strong background in physics, chemistry or material science will be considered.

Dr Alberto Mezzetti
Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Sorbonne University
Paris, France

KeyWords: Orange Carotenoid Protein ; FTIR difference spectroscopy; porous SiO2

Deadline: May 10th 2018

Web: http://www.lrs.upmc.fr/fr/index.html