State Resolved THz and Ultraviolet Studies of Polypeptide Structure and Dynamics
This grant funds research using terahertz and ultraviolet spectroscopy to study the structure and dynamics of biomolecules like proteins and DNA, and other materials.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Fellowship funding for postdoctoral researchers to conduct terahertz and ultraviolet spectroscopy studies on biomolecular structure and dynamics at NIST.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; requires contacting a research adviser prior to application; NIST participates in February and August review cycles.
Description
This fellowship supports research using terahertz (THz) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy to investigate the structure and dynamics of biomolecules such as proteins, polynucleotides, and polysaccharides. THz radiation probes the lowest frequency collective motions that underlie large-scale conformational changes critical to biomolecular flexibility during folding and activation. The research employs continuous-wave and phase-coherent chirped-pulse methods to measure spectra of bulk, thin-film, and gas phase samples across a wide temperature range (1.7 K to 350 K). Experimental data are interpreted with advanced quantum mechanical modeling (DFT/MP2/MRCI) to characterize nuclear motions linked to observed THz features.
Innovative techniques under development include electro-optical dual-optical-frequency combs and room-temperature multi-heterodyne detection to enhance sensitivity in the 0.05 to 2 THz range. Additional THz applications include studies of magnetic spin flip transitions (magnons) in anti-ferromagnetic materials and voltage standards using superconducting Josephson junctions. UV studies utilize doubled output from continuous-wave ring-dye and ring-Ti:Sapphire lasers to achieve sub-Doppler resolution (3 MHz to 20 MHz) for biomolecular analysis.
The fellowship is hosted at the Physical Measurement Laboratory, Applied Physics Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, CO.
