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 schmid-che@unibas.ch (mailto:schmid-che@unibas.ch?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: sonja.schmid@unibas.ch (mailto:sonja.schmid@unibas.ch?subject=) or Prof. Maletinksy: patrick.maletinsky@unibas.ch (mailto:patrick.maletinsky@unibas.ch?subject=) .