Research Associate in Ultrafast Dynamics of Photoactive Proteins

The role

A research associate position in experimental ultrafast dynamics studies of photoactive proteins is available in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, supported by BBSRC Grant BB/W003449/1, Creating and comprehending the circuitry of life: precise biomolecular design of multi-centre redox enzymes for a synthetic metabolism.

The multidisciplinary project aims to design, synthesise and characterise (using novel ultrafast spectroscopies) modular de novo proteins capable of broadband solar energy capture to drive redox catalysis.[1] This approach will provide an unprecedented framework to better understand and exploit the exceptional properties of natural energy and electron conducting proteins.

The research associate will work on the following objectives: (i) study photoinduced dynamics spanning 100 femtoseconds to 1 millisecond using a newly established ultrafast laser system to determine the rates of photoinduced long-range electron transfer in designer proteins; (ii) elucidate the ultrafast electronic energy transfer pathways in specially tailored photoactive proteins using 2D electronic spectroscopy.[2]

Further details of the BBSRC grant can be found at https://circuitsoflife.uk/ and more information on the Oliver group can be found at: https://oliverresearchgroup.com/

[1] Hutchins et al., PNAS, 120, e2306046120 (2023)

[2] Gajo et al., J. Phys. Chem. A., 129, 3537-3551 (2025)

What will you be doing?

You will undertake ultrafast laser laboratory-based studies in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol- one of the top ranked Chemistry departments in the UK (1^st in REF2021). You will collaborate closely with the multidisciplinary consortium of chemists, biochemists and computational chemists. You will use newly constructed transient absorption and transient infrared experiments to probe dynamics electron and energy transfer between 100 fs and 1 ms. You will also use an established 2D electronic spectroscopy experiment to monitor ultrafast energy transfer. The rate constants determined from ultrafast studies for energy and electron transfer will be used to identify bottlenecks or potential deficiencies in the synthetic proteins and provide critical feedback in the iterative protein design process.

You should apply if

The position would suit a talented and motivated early career researcher with a PhD in Physical Chemistry or Physics or with ultrafast laser spectroscopy. The following skills and experience are advantageous for the role: use of ultrafast laser amplifiers and optical parametric amplifiers; knowledge of non-linear optics; development of LabVIEW control software; experience with analysis of time-resolved spectra; handling of liquid samples; ability to communicate complex information clearly and accurately in English, both in written and oral forms; ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding for 24 months 

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 19/06/2025

For informal queries, please contact: Dr Tom Oliver (tom.oliver@bristol.ac.uk) 

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