Open Postdoctoral Positions

The Zanni lab always encourages applications from highly motivated and enthusiastic scientists to join our team.

We are looking for postdoctoral researchers in the following areas.

1. Structure and mechanism of amyloid oligomers involved in type 2 diabetes.  We recently published the first atomic structural model of an oligomer for the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP).  We believe that this structure helps explain why some mammals get type 2 diabetes and others do not.  It may also explain why some people with a hereditary mutation contract early onset type 2 diabetes.  Joining this project, you will perform 2D IR spectroscopy, synthesize hIAPP, express proteins, and probably do a lot of other things as well.
2. Correlating Exciton Diffusion with Energy Transfer. We have recently built a 2D WL microscope in which the pointing of the pump and probe beams can be adjusted relative to one another.  In that way, a sample can be pumped in one location and then probed in another.  With this instrument we can measure the spatial dependence of exciton transfer.  It has not often been measured, but we expect that exciton diffusion is necessary for exciton transfer.  If so, we may find more energy transfer at long distances.  On this project, you would hone your ultrafast spectroscopy skills, and learn the fundamentals to understand and model exciton diffusion in a series of next generation materials.
3. Voltage-jump 2D IR spectroscopy.  A 20-year dream of mine is to study the structural changes of membrane proteins upon applying a membrane voltage. The classic system is the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of ion channels.  We now have increased the sensitivity of 2D IR spectroscopy sufficient to measure a single membrane bilayer into which we placed a labeled VSD and saw a structural change upon applying a voltage.  Wow.  It is the beginning of many possible experiments. Besides the VSD, G-protein coupled receptors are reported to be voltage sensitive as has Abeta from Alzheimers. Even though all membrane proteins exist within the resting potential of the cell and some feel the action potential of neurons and muscle cells, there are very few methods for measuring the voltage dependence of membrane proteins.
4. Background-free 2D Action Spectroscopy.  Action spectroscopy is when a readout other than light absorption is used to measure a signal. Photocurrent from a solar cell is one type of action.  Fluorescence from a protein is another. Action detected 2D spectroscopy has been around for about a decade, but it has been plagued by a background that has swamped the actual ultrafast signal. We figured out a way to remove it.  Join this project and learn the ins and outs of 2D action spectroscopy, build new spectrometers, and use this technique to measure exciton dynamics in next generation solar cells and light harvesting proteins.

Interested candidates are requested to send their resume, a cover letter, and the contact information for professional references to zanni@chem.wisc.edu

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