Postdoctoral Research Position in DNA-Enabled Nanocluster Architectures with Atomic Precision

Will remain open until filled

Postdoctoral research position in DNA-enabled nanocluster architectures with atomic precision

Employer: UC Irvine

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Anticipated Position Duration: 2-3 years

Job description: The Copp lab seeks an exceptionally creative, motivated and collaborative postdoctoral scholar applicant. This research project develops a DNA-enabled platform to organize and dynamically control hierarchical assemblies of atomically precise nanoclusters, creating new functional materials with multi-length scale complexity and emergent properties, such as highly efficient energy transfer. The postdoctoral scholar will join a highly cross-disciplinary team of motivated researchers working on problems at the intersection of molecular nanomaterials, photonics and biotechnology. In addition to advancing their research skills, this position also provides valuable opportunities for professional development through collaborations, leadership and mentorship development, scientific communication and writing, and proposal development.

The postdoctoral researcher will develop expertise in atom-precise synthesis and characterization of DNA-templated nanoclusters. DNA-directed strategies will be developed to organize atomically precise nanoclusters on DNA “breadboards.” Structural and optical properties of architectures will be characterized in detail by TEM, AFM, and fluorescence microscopy. In tandem, crystallography will be used to solve nanocluster structure, enabling computational modeling of nanocluster architectures through collaborations. The following qualifications are required for applicants:

  • A Ph.D. in chemistry, biomaterials science and engineering, or a related discipline. If not already received, a Ph.D. must be earned before the position start date.
  • Significant expertise in experimental DNA or peptide chemistry and/or self-assembly (e.g. DNA nanotechnology, origami, etc.)
  • Expertise in microscopies for characterization of biomolecular assemblies (TEM, cryoEM, AFM, and/or fluorescence microscopy)
  • Expertise in fluorescence spectroscopy and UV/Vis spectroscopy

The following areas of expertise are strongly desired for applicants:

  • Protein or nucleic acid crystallography
  • HPLC or related separations techniques
  • Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
  • Chemical synthesis of nanoclusters or other colloidal nanomaterials
  • Nucleic acid functionalization

Applicant’s track record of innovation, creativity, and problem solving will be strongly considered in selection. For this reason, letters of recommendation will be evaluated in detail.

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF09355

Complete applications must include the following:

  1. Cover letter that delineates specifically how your expertise can be applied to the work in this lab and your career goals

  2. Detailed CV, including a list of publications

  3. At least three (3) letters of recommendation

Contact:
Professor Stacy Copp, Ph.D.
Molecular Nanomaterials Lab
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
University of California at Irvine
Email: stacy.copp@uci.edu