[NMR] 2nd PhD Position in Dissolution DNP at the University of Vienna #DNPNMR
 

From The DNP-NMR Blog:

[NMR] 2nd PhD Position in Dissolution DNP at the University of Vienna #DNPNMR

Dear colleagues,


a 2nd 4-year Ph.D. position at the institute of biological chemistry at the University of Vienna is available in the field of dissolution DNP with a special focus on biomineralization.


A project starts the 01.10.20 and a description can be found below. I would like to invite interested students to send an application including a letter of motivation (German or English) directly to:
dennis.kurzbach@univie.ac.at.


With kind regards,
Dennis Kurzbach


Project Description:
The DNP group of the University Vienna (www.Vienna-DNP.at) is looking for a motivated student to carry out a PhD thesis project centered around novel (hyperpolarization) tools based on NMR spectroscopy for the characterization of biomineralization processes.


Our lab is working on combining dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization
(DDNP) [1], a technique to improve signal intensities in NMR spectra, with time-resolved detection of biomolecular NMR spectra on milliseconds to minutes time-scales. Our lab is equipped with 8 state-of-the-art NMR devices and integrated into a fully equipped biochemistry facility.


The project is centered around the understanding of biomineralization processes, i.e. the ability of living organisms to produce solid phases. It aims at the development of time-resolved models that describe the peptides' mineralization events at an atomistic level of resolution to obtain a better understanding of the biological function of the underlying molecular interactions. In other words, an idea shell be developed of how biominerals form with time and of how individual atoms act at different points in time.


The interdisciplinary PhD project combines biochemical and biophysical research of medicinal and societal relevance with cutting-edge instrumentational and methodological developments of the NMR technology.


The successful candidate holds a relevant degree in physics, chemistry, biochemistry or a similar field. She/he will work on the development of NMR techniques in combination with dissolution DNP to characterize the interaction of designer peptides with silicates. These experiments allow determining the state of a protein in less than 1 s, which will eventually allow one to develop a model of the mineral formation to guide future developments in materials design and fundamental biophysics.


The University of Vienna aims at increasing the employment of women in both managing and academic positions and therefore invites applications from qualified female candidates.


The University of Vienna offers
• a dynamic research location with well-established research funding provisions • attractive working conditions in a city with a high quality of life • comprehensive advice and support in relation to finding accommodation, change of schools and dual career • a wide range of support services offered by central service institutions Funding Notes


References


[1] Emmanuelle Weber, Thomas Kress, Daniel Abergel, Steffi Sewsurn, Thierry Azais, Dennis Kurzbach: Assessing the onset of calcium phosphate nucleation by hyperpolarized real-time NMR. Anal. Chem. 2020, 92, 11, 7666–7673.


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Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Dennis Kurzbach
University of Vienna
Faculty of Chemistry
Institute of Biological Chemistry
Währinger Str. 38
1070 Vienna
Austria
www.Vienna-DNP.at







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