Graduate Studentship in Experimental Physical Chemistry: characterisation of the spin dynamics and magnetic sensitivity of cryptochromes and related compounds using specialised laser-based spectroscopic techniques

Ref: PJH/ERC/Exp/2019

Applications are invited for a DPhil studentship in Experimental Physical Chemistry available from 1st April 2019, to work with Professors Peter Hore, Christiane Timmel and Stuart Mackenzie. The studentship is funded by a European Research Council Synergy Grant awarded to Prof. Hore and Prof. Henrik Mouritsen (University of Oldenburg, Germany) entitled: QuantumBirds: Radical-pair-based magnetic sensing in migratory birds.

Night-migratory songbirds, travelling alone over thousands of kilometres, have absolutely staggering navigational and sensory abilities. The successful completion of these magnificent voyages depends crucially on the birds’ ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field. Exactly how this magnetic sense works is one of the most significant open questions in biology and biophysics. The experimental evidence suggests something extraordinary. The birds’ magnetic compass sensor seems to rely on coherent quantum phenomena that indirectly allow magnetic interactions a million times smaller than the thermal energy (Boltzmann’s constant multiplied by temperature) to be detected in biological tissue. The QuantumBirds project aims to determine whether the primary magnetic detection event occurring in the birds’ retinas involves the quantum spin dynamics of photochemically formed radical pairs in cryptochrome proteins. For a recent review article, see Hore & Mouritsen, Annu. Rev. Biophys., 45 (2016) 299-344.

The project will involve characterisation of the spin dynamics and magnetic sensitivity of cryptochromes and related compounds using specialised laser-based spectroscopic techniques. For informal enquiries, email [Email Address Removed].

We are located in the Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory (PJH and SRM) and the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CRT), South Parks Road, Oxford. For a brief summary of our current research interests please see:
http://research.chem.ox.ac.uk/peter-hore.aspx
http://research.chem.ox.ac.uk/stuart-mackenzie.aspx
http://research.chem.ox.ac.uk/christiane-timmel.aspx

Entry requirements
The candidate should have a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications) in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline (Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, etc.).

Application deadline: 12.00 noon UK time on Friday, 25th January 2019.

Applications
Interested candidates should send a full CV and a supporting statement, and arrange for two academic referees to submit letters of support by the closing date via email to: [Email Address Removed], quoting: PJH/ERC/Exp/2019 in the subject line of the email.

Information about the programme of study is available at: DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-physical-and-theoretical-chemistry?wssl=1

Please note that submission of a formal DPhil application will be required at a later stage.

For enquires relating to the application process please contact Aga Borkowska, Graduate Studies Administrator, [Email Address Removed] , +44 (0)1865 272569.