Physics | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 42

Postdoctoral Position in Biophysics: Software Development, France

A post-doctoral position, based at the ILL, is available within the scope of the ANR-financed project entitled “Simulation of experiments on protein structure and dynamics”. The aims of this project are two-fold, concerning the production of bio molecular simulations and their analysis, allowing comparison with a range of experimental data. The position at ILL will focus on the analysis of molecular dynamics trajectories based on the nMoldyn code [http://dirac.cnrs-orleans.fr/plone/software/nmoldyn/], which has been developed by the coordinators of the project (Gerald Kneller and Konrad Hinsen, Orleans, France), and as part of a recent ANR project (THALER: ANR-06-CIS6-012-01). Future developments of nMoldyn will increase its functionality to cover the widest possible range of analyses of molecular dynamics simulations, including, in the case of neutron scattering, details of the instrument set-up. In this way, it will be possible to perform virtual neutron scattering experiments on biological macromolecules. The post-doc position is based at an institute where experiments are performed specifically to enhance the link that is being established between experiment and simulation at ILL and elsewhere.

Qualifications and experience:
You will have a PhD with experience in macromolecular simulations. You should also have a keen interest in the production of experimental results and a desire to interact with experimentalists. You must be able to develop new code for scientific computing in a range of languages, including Python, the language used for nMoldyn. While you should be highly motivated and be able to work independently, you should also have the necessary human skills to interact with scientists at ILL and the other members of the project.
Fellowship Application Deadline: 23/01/2011
Further Fellowship Information and Application

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, USA

biochemistry; structural biology and chemistry; molecular, cell and developmental biology; immunology; virology and microbiology; neuroscience; physics; and mathematical biology Employer: The Rockefeller University Level: Undergraduate Fellowship Description: The Rockefeller University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates to conduct laboratory research. SURF students work with leading scientists in a broad range of areas including biochemistry; structural biology and chemistry; molecular, cell and developmental biology; immunology; virology and microbiology; neuroscience; physics; and mathematical biology.

College sophomores and juniors are eligible to spend 10 weeks during the summer in a Rockefeller University laboratory. The program begins in early June and ends in mid-August. Placement in laboratories is centralized through the Dean’s Office. Students are matched with laboratories according to their stated research interests, and work on projects under the direct supervision of faculty, postdoctoral fellows and/or senior graduate students.

Each year, students are chosen from a wide variety of applicants with diverse scientific backgrounds and training. Annually, more than 500 students apply for admission into the SURF Program and approximately 15 are accepted.

In order to fully experience the world of scientific research, SURF students are required to present and discuss scientific publications at weekly Journal Club meetings. This exposure allows participants to familiarize themselves with speaking to a scientific audience. SURF students also attend a special lecture series where Rockefeller faculty discuss their research and the evolution of their scientific interests. At the end of the program, SURF students will present their research results to fellow students and mentors at a poster session.
Fellowship Application Deadline: February 1, 2011
Further Fellowship information and Application

Physicist (PhD Student) for Dosimetry Development in Proton Therapy, Netherlands

The Radiotherapy department of the UMCG treats approximately 3,600 patients per year. It is staffed by 180 employees from a range of disciplines. Equipment in the department currently includes seven linear accelerators for megavoltage photon and electron radiation treatments and apparatus for photon and electron dosimetry. The UMCG is preparing for a clinical facility to provide proton radiation therapy on its campus, because this treatment modality offers a considerable advance in conforming the treatment dose to the target and thereby reducing side effects for the patient. A very good knowledge of the absolute radiation dose is a prerequisite to achieve this.
The Kernfysisch Versneller Instituut (KVI) is a national institute for research in the fields of fundamental and applied atomic and subatomic physics. It is an interfaculty institute of the University of Groningen and its 120 staff members are employed partly by the university and partly by the NWO Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM). KVI and UMCG are partners in PARTREC, Particle Therapy Research Centre, a centre established to optimize the use of particle irradiations in radiation oncology.

The joint project of UMCG and KVI within PARTREC to develop “A national dosimetry standard for proton therapy” is funded by Technology Foundation STW. This project will be conducted in collaboration with the Dutch national metrology institute Van Swinden Laboratory (VSL) in Delft. Purpose is to develop a dosimeter to make absolute dose measurements traceable to an (inter)national standard. Also a reference beam line for clinical relevant proton beams will be designed to enable (inter)national intercomparisons of dosimetry equipment at KVI. VSL will use the dosimeter standard to perform certified calibrations on a commercial base of locally used “working standards” for proton beams used in public health and industry, according to established international protocols.

* Design of a calorimeter, encompassing the conducting of simulations, process modelling, read-out electronics and data-acquisition.
* Experimental study to characterise and to optimize the performance of the calorimeter, encompassing the study of the effects of dynamic dose application and spatial variations of a dose distribution.
* Study of the contributions of neutrons to the signal formation.
* Study of short and long term effects of material damage and chemical changes due to interactions of the radiation with calorimeter material.
* Assistance in the preparation and commissioning of the reference beam line at KVI.
* Publication and presentation of the results of the research in international scientific journals and conferences.
* Active participation in the research group at UMCG and KVI working in fields related to physics and technology for radiation therapy and especially proton therapy.
* Contribution to the supervision of MSc and BSc students doing their research in the group.
* Contribution to general (a.o. teaching) tasks at KVI and/or UMCG.
* Participation in the PhD-educational program of the FANTOM and Guide graduate schools.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 11 January 2011
Further Scholarship information and Application