OPPORTUNITIES

We always hope to grow the team with scientists and students who share our passion for high resolution microscopy of individual molecules, preparative mass spectrometry, and instrumentation development. Please be in touch to discuss opportunities in detail.

Postdoctoral Researchers

We support applicants in preparing proposals for individual postgraduate research funding (e.g. ERC-Marie Curie Program, Humboldt program, Newton fellowship). Postdoctoral research projects can range over the entire spectrum of our scientific portfolio.

Please contact us with a short cv if you have interest in joining us as a postdoc.

DPhil (PhD)

We can offer a number of exciting projects for DPhil (PhD) studies.  

(1) Cryo-EM imaging of mass selected proteins.

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is emerging as the dominating method for structure determination of proteins. However, the sample preparation is based on plunge freezing proteins in solution into thin ice layers, which limits contrast and scope of the sample preparation method as many proteins are not compatible with this preparation method.  We are developing and applying and alternative method of cryo-EM sample preparation, which is based on preparative mass spectrometry to prepare samples directly in vacuum.

(2) Imaging biopolymers by scanning probe microscopy.

Scanning probe microscope (STM: scanning tunneling microscopy, AFM: atomic force microscopy) can resolve molecular structure at the atomic level.  We investigate molecules of complex structure and conformation adsorbed at a surface, brought there with ES-IBD.  Important goals are the sequencing of peptides and glycans as well as the atomically resolved imaging of large molecules by non-contact AFM.  

(3) Chemical reactions triggered by hyperthermal collisions of molecules and surfaces.

Energy is needed to make chemical reactions proceed.  Usually this energy is supplied from thermal energy, sometimes from light or other excitations.  The collision of ions with surfaces at hyperthermal energy represents a unique way of supplying that energy. In this project we use the unique capability of Electrospray ion beam deposition to tune the collision energy in the range between 1 eV and several 100 eV to trigger chemical reactions which otherwise cannot be observed.  We will investigate the mechanochemical mechanism that proceeds in this type of reaction and explore its possibility to covalently modify surfaces with complex molecules. (Fast Molecular Compression by a Hyperthermal Collision Gives Bond-Selective Mechanochemistry.  Phys. Rev. Lett. 126 (5), 056001 (2021) )

(4) Development of novel electrospray ion beam deposition (ES-IBD) instrumentation

Electrospray ion beam deposition (ES-IBD) is the deposition of mass-selected molecular ions on surfaces in vacuum, whereby the energy of the molecular ion beam can be controlled.  We develop a novel instrument based on advanced ion optics, which will allow us high selectivity (mass, mobility(shape)) while also have high beam intensity and control over the ionisation process.

Further information about the current admission: Graduate open day of the Department of Chemistry

There are several routes towards funding for a DPhil position; details below. 

University of Oxford - Information on DPhil in Chemistry 

University of Oxford: Doctoral Training Centres
 

Part II / Master's Thesis

We offer several Part II positions every year.  Please be in touch to inquire for project details or a lab visit. 

The options lecture Molecular Surface Science offers an ideal preparation.