Field of Interest:physics
Deadline: 2016-02-29
Region: Europe
Job description:
The ESRF is a multinational research institute, situated in Grenoble, France and financed by 21 countries mostly European. It operates a powerful synchrotron X-ray source with some 30 beamlines (instruments) covering a wide range of scientific research in fields such as biology and medicine, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, materials and surface science, and physics. The ESRF employs about 600 staff and is organized as a French société civile.
Within the Experiments Division, the X-Ray Nanoprobes group is now seeking to recruit a:
PhD Thesis Student
Subject: Fast structural transitions in biopolymers probed with in-situ millisecond time-resolved micro-diffraction and ultra-fast chip calorimetry
Fixed-term contract
GENERAL FRAMEWORK
Biopolymers containing hydrogen-bond stabilized secondary structures (e.g. beta-pleated sheets) do not melt upon input of heat energy alone. However, recent developments in ultra-fast chip calorimetry have shown that under the right conditions such materials can reveal reversible crystal-to-melt transitions applying fast thermal programmes with heating rates of several thousand K/s. We are going to apply ultra-fast chip calorimetry in combination with millisecond time-resolved micro- X-ray diffraction to address the structural response of a group of polysaccharides on ultra-fast temperature changes in-situ. The mechanisms of melting and crystallization of this group of polysaccharides thus revealed will provide insights as to the material processing technologies applicable to such materials.
DESCRIPTION OF THE THESIS OF WORK
The student will address the structural response of a group of polysaccharides on extreme thermal conditions and programmes employing novel ultra-fast chip calorimetry combined in-situ with millisecond time resolved X-ray micro and nano diffraction. This involves the development of sample environments compatible with requirements of bio materials as well as adequate sample preparation and handling protocols for micron-sized samples. In addition to the development of the experimental methodology the student will also be involved in the development of computational data analysis tools for big sets of low statistics diffraction data. With these tools in place, the student will perform time-resolved wide and small angle X-ray micro diffraction on cellulose, starch and chitin using state-of-the art single photon counting fast pixel-array detectors with high photon efficiency working at a rate close to 1 kHz.
Place of Work: ESRF in Grenoble
Supervisor: M. Rosenthal (+33) (0)4 76 88 4051
OUR OFFER
The working language of the ESRF is English. You should hold a degree in Physics, materials science or Chemistry allowing enrolment for a PhD, such as an MSc, Master 2 de Recherche, Laurea or equivalent. For further information on employment terms and conditions, please refer to http://www.esrf.fr/Jobs/Conditions. The ESRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from disabled persons.
Contract of two years renewable (subject to satisfactory progress) for one year. Monthly gross remuneration: 2320 €.
If you are interested in this position, please apply on-line at this address: http://www.esrf.fr/Jobs.
Ref. CFR409 - Deadline for returning application forms: 29 February 2016
More Information:http://jobstats.robopost.com/count/clic.php?v=62818&j=725
Deadline: 2016-02-29
Region: Europe
Job description:
The ESRF is a multinational research institute, situated in Grenoble, France and financed by 21 countries mostly European. It operates a powerful synchrotron X-ray source with some 30 beamlines (instruments) covering a wide range of scientific research in fields such as biology and medicine, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, materials and surface science, and physics. The ESRF employs about 600 staff and is organized as a French société civile.
Within the Experiments Division, the X-Ray Nanoprobes group is now seeking to recruit a:
PhD Thesis Student
Subject: Fast structural transitions in biopolymers probed with in-situ millisecond time-resolved micro-diffraction and ultra-fast chip calorimetry
Fixed-term contract
GENERAL FRAMEWORK
Biopolymers containing hydrogen-bond stabilized secondary structures (e.g. beta-pleated sheets) do not melt upon input of heat energy alone. However, recent developments in ultra-fast chip calorimetry have shown that under the right conditions such materials can reveal reversible crystal-to-melt transitions applying fast thermal programmes with heating rates of several thousand K/s. We are going to apply ultra-fast chip calorimetry in combination with millisecond time-resolved micro- X-ray diffraction to address the structural response of a group of polysaccharides on ultra-fast temperature changes in-situ. The mechanisms of melting and crystallization of this group of polysaccharides thus revealed will provide insights as to the material processing technologies applicable to such materials.
DESCRIPTION OF THE THESIS OF WORK
The student will address the structural response of a group of polysaccharides on extreme thermal conditions and programmes employing novel ultra-fast chip calorimetry combined in-situ with millisecond time resolved X-ray micro and nano diffraction. This involves the development of sample environments compatible with requirements of bio materials as well as adequate sample preparation and handling protocols for micron-sized samples. In addition to the development of the experimental methodology the student will also be involved in the development of computational data analysis tools for big sets of low statistics diffraction data. With these tools in place, the student will perform time-resolved wide and small angle X-ray micro diffraction on cellulose, starch and chitin using state-of-the art single photon counting fast pixel-array detectors with high photon efficiency working at a rate close to 1 kHz.
Place of Work: ESRF in Grenoble
Supervisor: M. Rosenthal (+33) (0)4 76 88 4051
OUR OFFER
The working language of the ESRF is English. You should hold a degree in Physics, materials science or Chemistry allowing enrolment for a PhD, such as an MSc, Master 2 de Recherche, Laurea or equivalent. For further information on employment terms and conditions, please refer to http://www.esrf.fr/Jobs/Conditions. The ESRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from disabled persons.
Contract of two years renewable (subject to satisfactory progress) for one year. Monthly gross remuneration: 2320 €.
If you are interested in this position, please apply on-line at this address: http://www.esrf.fr/Jobs.
Ref. CFR409 - Deadline for returning application forms: 29 February 2016
More Information:http://jobstats.robopost.com/count/clic.php?v=62818&j=725