A collaboration project between the Synchrotron SOLEIL ( http://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr ), France and the University of Turku (http://www.utu.fi/en ), Finland, is looking for candidates to apply for a 4 year funded PhD position. The collaboration involves the PLEIADES beamline of SOLEIL and the Materials Research Laboratory in the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Turku, and is aimed at developing and applying novel methods for gas-phase spectroscopy of fragile organic molecules.
While several fragmentation studies of soft x-ray irradiation of DNA bases or peptides exist, there is a lack of studies on neutral polypeptides or medium sized neutral biomolecules. Indeed, this is mainly due to their tendency to decompose during the heating phase, leading to their sublimation. The new technique, based on generation followed by flash vaporization of nano-droplets of a solution containing a specific molecules, will be combined with studies on the influence of electronic excited states after an excitation with soft x-ray synchrotron radiation. This targeted energy deposition can also lead to selective fragmentation of these floppy molecular edifices. The PhD student will be closely involved in instrumental development using electrospray and molecular cluster sources and will participate in experiments at SOLEIL, but also at other international synchrotron radiation facilities such as MAX-IV or at free electron lasers. The experimental methods consist mainly of electron spectroscopy, and electron-ion coincidence techniques. In addition, the student will participate in the general study programs of the graduate schools.
The successful candidate will enroll in both the Doctoral Program in Physical and Chemical Sciences of the University of Turku and the wave and matter doctoral school of the Physics of light and matter of the University Paris-Saclay, under a COTUTELLE double degree agreement. The student will spend time at both partner institutions for courses and research, although the scheduling will be flexible.
After successful completion of the studies and the defence of the thesis, the PhD student will be granted a Doctor of Philosophy degree by both the Finnish and French universities.
To qualify, the candidates must have a recent Master of Science or equivalent degree in a relevant field. The application deadlines are announced at the graduate school websites:
UTU-GS: https://www.utu.fi/en/research/utugs/doctoralprogrammes/pcs/Pages
The nearest deadline is September 19th, 2016.
PLEIADES Beamline: http://www.synchrotronsoleil.fr/portal/page/portal/Recherche/LignesLumiere/PLEIADES
Contacts: Prof. Edwin Kukk (edwin.kukk@utu.fi)
Dr Christophe Nicolas (christophe.nicolas@synchrotron-soleil.fr)
