Probing the electronic structure and dynamics of photoactive protein chromophores using photoelectron spectroscopy

A fully-funded 3-year PhD studentship is available to work with Professors Helen Fielding and Stephen Price (UCL Department of Chemistry).
Photoactive proteins drive a number of chemical and biological processes. Following absorption of a photon, the chromophore at the heart of a photoactive protein tends to undergo a structural change, such as an isomerisation, to initiate a chemical or biological response. An example is the photoactive yellow protein (PYP), which is the photoreceptor responsible for the motion of the purple bacterium Halorhodospira halophila away from potentially harmful ultraviolet light.
The aim of this project is to use frequency-resolved and time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopies to observe the primary motions that follow photon absorption by the PYP chromophore and to investigate the role of an environment in controlling the excited state structure and dynamics.
The project will involve the following:
• anion photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the excited state structure and dynamics of isolated model chromophores;
• liquid jet photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the excited state structure and dynamics of chromophores in the condensed phase;
• quantum chemistry calculations to assist with the interpretation of the experimental measurements.
The start date is 1 October 2016. The PhD stipend for this project will be ca. £16,794 p.a. (tax and fees paid) and will last for 3 years. Due to restrictions on funding, this studentship is only open to candidates who satisfy EPSRC eligibility requirements, i.e. from the UK/EU with 3 years residency in the UK.
The project will suit a candidate who has enjoyed undergraduate physical chemistry or molecular physics. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve a 1 or 2.1 MSci degree in chemistry, physics or related subject. For further information about the project, please contact Professor Helen Fielding ([Email Address Removed]). For further details about the application process, please contact Dr Jadranka Butorac in the Chemistry Department (tel: +44 (0)20 7679 4650, email: [Email Address Removed]).