spectroscopy | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 2

PhD Researcher in Faculty of Science at Utrecht University, Netherlands: Solid-state NMR: Ultra-high Sensitivity NMR on Protein Machines in a Cellular(-like) State (1,0 fte)

You will be part of a team working on the development and application of high-sensitivity NMR methods for the study of protein complexes in a cellular-like environment. You will employ dedicated and internationally unique NMR instruments that will enhance spectroscopic sensitivity by two orders of magnitude. Your studies will target protein machines that regulate elementary aspects of signal transduction and protein folding in a cellular setting. Using NMR, you will map conformational states of a membrane protein en route to its native folded state or during function in response to changes in the physiochemical environment. These experiments will allow you to obtain a comprehensive map of the conformational landscape of such a biomolecular machine in a native-like environment. Such information is of vital relevance to understand cellular viability and function and offers unprecedented structural insight at the interface of structural and cellular biology.

The successful candidate should have a Master’s or equivalent degree in chemistry, physics, or biology with a general interest in biophysics and spectroscopy. Experience in NMR or a related spectroscopic method is desirable.

Scholarship Application Deadline: April 15, 2011

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PhD Studentship in Advanced Magnetic Resonance Techniques for Food foam Research, UK

Due to funding regulations, this studentship is only available to UK and EU nationals.
Applications are invited for the above PhD studentship at the University of Cambridge in the Magnetic Resonance Research Centre of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology. The centre is world renowned, focussing on the application of quantitative magnetic resonance methods and their application to problems encountered in process engineering research. The studentship is fully funded by Nestle Research Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. The project will focus on the understanding of the physical properties of foams in terms of their stability and production. Foams are ubiquitous in food and impact many factors that are important to the consumer such as taste and texture. The project is aimed at increasing fundamental and practical knowledge to increase our ability to develop new foam food products.
This project will involve the development and implementation of advanced quantitative magnetic resonance techniques, such as fast pulsed field gradient magnetic resonance spectroscopy, multi-dimensional relaxation exchange spectroscopy and micro-fluidic micro-imaging, to gain new insights into the physics behind the ‘micro-fluidic’ generation of food foams and emulsions. In addition the successful candidate will also undertake research into the subsequent stability and ageing process of the foam/emulsion in terms of size and drainage and explore the possibilities of incorporating the new techniques, developed within the research project, into “low-field” online magnetic resonance measurements on the factory production floor. The project will involve regular travel to the research centre in Lausanne and continuous consultation with Nestle’s industrial process engineers and scientists.
The successful candidate should have a strong physics/mathematical background (preferably holding, or expecting to gain, a first class or upper 2:1 (honours) masters degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or physics) and should be able to demonstrate a high level of practical and communication skills.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 June 2011

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PhD Position in Spectroscopy on Conjugated Polymers, Netherlands

You will study the dynamics of excitons and charge carriers with femtosecond and nanosecond pump-probe laser techniques, including microwave and terahertz conductivity measurements. In addition, high-energy electron pulses can be used specifically to generate charges.Candidates for the PhD position must have a university degree in physics or chemistry, and ideally some experience with time-resolved spectroscopy. For the Post-doc position a doctoral degree related to time-resolved spectroscopy is required.

Conditions of Employment at FOM .When filling a PhD position at the FOM foundation, you will have the status of junior scientist.You will have employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers.You will have a four-year contract. Your salary will be up to a maximum of €2,457 gross per month.You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four-year term with FOM.A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervision that you specifically need. This plan also defineswhich teaching activities you will be responsible for (up to a maximum of 10% of your time).

Scholarship Application Deadline: 01-04-2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application