[OFER-TRABEC] NAC: PhD Thesis + contract

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---Procedencia:
Institución:ILL Grenoble -University of Burgos
Contacto correo-e:scuesta@ubu.es
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The University of Burgos (Spain) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL, Grenoble, France), jointly invite applications for a three-year PhD programme focusing on
Molecular dynamics and the melting transition in DNA
The description by Watson and Crick of the double helix structure of DNA led to a fundamental postulate that "form is function" for biological molecules, meaning that the properties of the molecule are due only to its structure. It is now increasingly clear that a description of function must take into account the dynamics of the molecules. For example, the genetic code cannot be read if the DNA helix does not open locally. This opening is linked to dynamical fluctuations. The behaviour of DNA is also often quantified through physical, thermodynamic parameters such as its entropy and free energy, however these are still only understood from a largely phenomenological standpoint. Our recent research has clearly demonstrated, both experimentally and theoretically, that the fluctuations play a much larger role in the function of DNA than generally thought.
The goal of this PhD project is to investigate the dynamics of DNA. We currently want to focus on the physics of DNA fluctuations without immediately addressing the biological consequences. We believe, however, that the results will have a profound influence on the way biology approaches DNA, as we aim to quantify effects describing the function of the molecule that are not currently accounted for due to lack of data.
The project is largely experimental, aiming to measure collective vibration modes such as phonons and to follow the process of denaturing the double helix through heat in the so-called "melting transition". The experiments will make heavy use of neutron and x-ray scattering techniques, as well as bulk techniques such as calorimetry and UV absorption spectroscopy. The candidate will be required to make highly oriented fibre samples of DNA for the experiments.
There is also scope to contribute to the theory of the dynamics, through both numerical modelling of the molecular dynamics and through the application of physics models based on a Hamiltonian
references: L. van Eijck et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107 (2011) 088102
A. R. Wildes et al., Phys. Rev. E 83 (2011) 061923

The PhD project will be located in Grenoble (France), at the ILL, and at the University of Burgos (Spain). The successful candidate will be employed for a period of up to three years, with a gross salary of around 2350 €/month, together with other benefits depending on the student's social status (for more details see: http://www.ill.eu/science-technology/phd-students/phd-recruitment/phd-work-at-the-ill/). In addition to the supervisors, the student will be part of a team of experts, including Michel Peyrard (Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France), Nikos Theodorakopoulos (Konstanz University, Germany), Lambert van Eijck (TU Delft, the Netherlands), Franci Merzel (National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia) and Jean-Luc Garden (Institut Néel, Grenoble) who will participate in the project.
Applicants should have a degree in a relevant condensed matter physics or physical chemistry discipline. Academic knowledge of biophysics or biochemistry will be appreciated.
Supervisors: Santiago Cuesta-López (Univ. of Burgos), Andrew Wildes and Mark Johnson ILL (Grenoble).
Contact information: Andrew Wildes, +33 (0)4 76 20 70 37, wildes@ill.fr


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Información complementaria de la oferta:
Santiago Cuesta-López (Univ. of Burgos), Andrew Wildes and Mark Johnson ILL (Grenoble).
Contact information: Andrew Wildes, +33 (0)4 76 20 70 37, wildes@ill.fr

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