Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Ultrafast Dynamics of Photoactive Proteins at the University of Bristol, UK

Applications are sought for a postdoctoral research associate to work with Dr Tom Oliver at the University of Bristol (UK) as part of BBSRC sLoLa grant Creating and comprehending the circuitry of life: precise biomolecular design of multi-centre redox enzymes for a synthetic metabolism (BB/W003449/1). The grant is large-scale collaborative project between physical chemists and biochemists from four different UK institutions (Bristol, UEA, Portsmouth and UCL).

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.[1,2] This approach will provide an unprecedented framework to better understand and exploit the exceptional properties of natural energy and electron conducting proteins.

The appointed postdoctoral research associate will work on the following objectives: (i) contribute to the assembly and characterisation of spectrometers using a new commercial ultrafast laser system to probe photoinduced dynamics spanning 100 femtoseconds to 1 millisecond; (ii) determine the rates of photoinduced electron transfer in designer proteins; (iii) elucidate the ultrafast electronic energy transfer pathways in specially tailored photoactive proteins using 2D electronic spectroscopy. 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. Other techniques will include: 2D electronic-vibrational spectroscopy and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.

Applications are strongly encouraged from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds especially those historically under-represented in scientific research. The School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award and provides mentorship and a collegial and inclusive working environment for all staff.