The Quantum Biology and Computational Physics Group (Department of Physics) at the University Oldenburg offers one

PhD-position (m/f/d)
(TV-L E13 / 65%)

for a maximum of three years in the research project "Cryptochrome-based magnetoreception". The position could start as soon as possible and should lead to a successful dissertation. The project is part of the DFG funded SFB 1372 “Magnetoreception and navigation in vertebrates: from biophysics to brain and behaviour”.

The overall aim of the project is to carry out spin dynamics simulations to guide behavioural studies and calcium imaging measurements of neuronal activity delivered through other projects of SFB 1372. For this purpose, available spin dynamics algorithms will be used and developed further. The project aims to determine the optimum radiofrequency electromagnetic field conditions for probing the identity and magnetic properties of radicals in a cryptochrome magnetoreceptor in vivo. The project will also employ an information theory approach in combination with spin dynamics simulations to understand how a light-dependent magnetoreceptor could distinguish changes in light intensity from changes in magnetic field direction.

From a successful candidate we expect a qualifying academic university degree (Master or Diploma) in Physics, Chemistry or related subjects and a strong interest in basic research in a collaborative research environment. We require a very good mastery of English reading and writing. The candidate must have a solid background in programming (e.g. in C++, Python, Matlab), non superficial knowledge of quantum mechanics and a strong interest in biophysics. Our group is located at the University Oldenburg, Germany, and is part of several collaborative centres of excellence. These collaborations will give you access to a very wide range of superb modern equipment, techniques and expertise and you will become part of a larger team working closely together on related questions. Basic knowledge of the German language is helpful in daily life, but is not a criterion for being accepted or not.

The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by Prof. Dr Ilia Solov’yov (University of Oldenburg) and Prof. Peter Hore (University of Oxford, UK) and will make frequent visits to Oxford. More information on Prof. Hore’s research can be found here http://hore.chem.ox.ac.uk/index.shtml and here https://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/people/peter-hore. Information on the Department of Chemistry at Oxford is available here https://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/. For more information about Prof. Solov’yov and his group can be found here http://www.quantbiolab.com.

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increasing the percentage of women in science. Therefore, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. According to § 21 III NHG (legislation governing Higher Education in Lower Saxony) preference will be given to female candidates in cases of equal qualification.

Handicapped applicants will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Please send your application preferred in a single pdf document (CV, letter of motivation, list of publications, university and high school certificates, names and phone numbers of at least two academic referees) to Prof. Dr. Ilia A. Solov’yov (. University Oldenburg, Faculty V, Institute of Physics, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.

All applications received before the 31^st of March 2023 will be considered. We will start looking at the applications as soon as they are submitted and will consider further applications until the positions are filled.