PhD student position: quantum sensing of biomolecules and their chemical stimuli.

For the prestigious PhD school of the
Swiss Nanoscience Institute (https://nanoscience.unibas.ch/en/forschung/phd-programm/)
, we solicit applications for a paid 4-year PhD student position in the
Biomolecular Nano-Dynamics (https://schmid.chemie.unibas.ch/en/)
group at the Dept. of Chemistry and in close collaboration with the
Quantum Sensing (https://quantum-sensing.physik.unibas.ch/en/)
group at the Dept. of Physics, both at the University of Basel, Switzerland. We look for a highly talented and motivated PhD student with a strong background in physics or physical chemistry to join our team for cutting-edge quantum sensing of biomolecules using nitrogen vacancy (NV) colour centers in diamond and single-photon fluorescence readouts.

In this interdisciplinary PhD project, you will:
– Build an optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectrometer based on state-of-the-art equipment.
– Detect single particles and single photons to establish new fluorescence readouts.
– Develop a range of biocompatible experiments to detect protein molecules and their chemical stimuli.
This work will yield key steps towards single-molecule NMR of biomolecules based on our progress in optical quantum sensing with NV centers. This is a full-time position, and a project we ideally want to start in the first half of 2025.

Prior experience in several of these areas is desired:
– Optics and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques,
– Quantum sensing, ideally using color centers,
– Single-molecule experiments and interpretation,
– Advanced data analysis, coding, modeling, machine learning.

Essential requirements:

– MSc degree in physics or physical-chemistry with excellent grades,
– High motivation and curiosity about fundamental questions and method development,
– Independent analytical thinking and systematic work style,
– Excellent experimental problem-solving skills and perseverance,
– Great team player proficient in English (speaking & writing).

– An exciting and fully funded PhD project in Basel, Switzerland,
– Embedding in the PhD school of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI),
– A productive, interdisciplinary group with an open and interactive lab culture,
– State-of-the-art research infrastructure and facilities,
– A highly international and interdisciplinary setting stimulating your professional and personal development,
– The GRACE graduate center, wide-ranging sports offers, etc.
– A beautiful and very lively city at the intersection of Germany, France, and Switzerland.

**Application / Contact**

Applications are invited from now until
**Oct 30th, 2024**
. Please submit your application by email through
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=)
, including: letter of motivation, CV, and email addresses of 2-3 references – all merged into a single pdf file named
.

For questions, please contact Prof. Schmid:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=)
or Prof. Maletinksy:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=)
.