1 PhD position in Quantum coherent water oxidation in Netherlands | Leiden University

With our society on the way to sustainability, solving the problem of how to convert sunlight efficiently into fuels becomes very urgent. Natural photosynthesis represents a solution that is very effective. We need to understand the interplay between the photosynthetic redox factors and the protein matrix in which they are embedded to create artificial matrices that behave in a similar way. In photosynthesis the conversion of a reactant into a product (water splitting) is a quasi quantum coherent process. The semi-classical tunnelling is made possible by resonant coupling to some specific vibrational modes out of the bath of vibration frequencies present in the protein material. This project aims to demonstrate this mechanism by characterizing such modes coupled to a quantum tunnelling process in a thermostable, high-potential multipurpose laccase, as a useful model system for the water splitting in photosystem II. This laccase can both reduce oxygen and oxidize water with a trinuclear Cu cluster and a mononuclear Cu mediator. The Ph.D. student will explore the conformational landscape of the laccase by NMR, by T1rho relaxation rate measurements and by measuring anisotropic local order parameters from 1H-13C dipolar couplings in the solid state. Laccase contains paramagnetic metal centres, and paramagnetic NMR will be used to highlight the surrounding of active sites. These data will be used for restrained modelling studies of the quantum process and the identification of the relevant vibrational modes.

Requirements

• Strong incentive to collaborative research and to acquiring expertise in a broad range of techniques;
• Recent M.Sc. degree e.g. in (bio)physics, with solid basis in quantum dynamics (NMR or quantum chemistry);
• Experience with protein production and purification is an advantage;
• Good communication skills, in English, both in writing and verbally;
• Candidates are expected to eventually sufficiently master the Dutch language.

Conditions of employment

We offer a full-time, fixed-term post for 4 years. Salary range from € 2,174.- to € 2,779.- gross per month (pay scale P), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.