Highlights:
1. One experimental and one theoretical/computational postdoc for my recently funded Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences.
2. The positions are as members of a joint experimental/theoretical team focusing on the design of hydrogen production and hydrogen oxidation catalysts, similar to the enzyme hydrogenase. Building on well understood nickel-phosphine catalysts with a single proton relay, the focus of the project is to develop, design, incorporate and characterize peptide-based proton channels (multiple proton relays) into homogeneous catalysts to enhance catalytic activity beyond that which can currently be achieved.
3. Fully understanding the mechanism of the proton channel in enhancing rates will be an important goal.
4. The experimental candidate will use air-sensitive techniques to synthesize the catalysts and peptide chemistry to build and incorporate the proton channels. A variety of techniques, including electrochemistry, NMR, FTIR, XAFS, CD and GC will be used to characterize the structures of the catalysts and the proton channels, as well as catalyst activity.
5. Modeling will be used to guide experimental design using Rosetta, as well as to develop and evaluate mechanistic insight into proton movement using multi-state empirical valence bond model (MS-EVB) or ab initio dynamics.
6. The work will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. David Baker (University of Washington) (http://depts.washington.edu/
7. To post your curriculum vitae for consideration, please go to www.jobs.pnl.gov and locate the appropriate Job ID: Postdoctoral Opening (experimental) Job ID: 118370
8. Postdoctoral Opening (theory/computational) Job ID: 118371
No comments:
Post a Comment