Open Postdoctoral Postions

The Zanni lab invites applications from highly motivated and enthusiastic scientists to join our team. Details for the open positions are given below.

Interested candidates are requested to send their resume, a cover letter, and the contact information for professional references to zanni@chem.wisc.edu and chalyavi@wisc.edu. We are happy to discuss details of these projects.

Carbon nanotube polariton photophysics

This project utilizes semiconducting carbon nanotubes thin films, ultrafast 2D White-Light spectroscopy, and novel device architectures to explore polariton photophysics and to test new technologies that utilize polaritons. Exciton-polaritons are hybrid states formed when molecular excitons are strongly coupled to photons confined in an optical cavity, giving rise to properties not observed in the molecular excitons themselves. They are receiving much attention across a wide swath of chemistry, physics, and material science, but the fundamental principles behind polariton photophysics are still under debate. The key to interpreting polariton photophysics is deducing the composition of the delocalized wavefunctions and understanding the kinetics of energy transfer between the polariton eigenstates. You would be involved in building a series of nanotube polariton microcavities and measuring their photophysics. You would learn purification and preparation conditions for semiconducting carbon nanotubes, device construction, polariton physics, and ultrafast 2D spectroscopy. You would also be involved in various spectroscopic technique developments underway.

Two-dimensional white-light microscopy

In this project, you would be involved in developing and utilizing two-dimensional white-light microscopy. The goal of this project is to measure and understand the dependence of exciton and charge diffusion on microscopic heterogeneities in structural geometries and electronic couplings. The electronic structure of organic and inorganic films and crystals dictates the timescale and length of exciton and charge diffusion. Inherent to solution processed materials are micro- and nanoscale heterogeneities that alter electronic structure. Using a new microscope built from an ultrafast 2D white-light spectrometer, we discovered spatial patterns of microscopic heterogeneities in electronic structure within single microcrystals across a variety of materials. In two different types of singlet fission materials, we found changes in bandgap near edges, defects, and in appreciable quantities throughout the bulk material. In 2D perovskites, we observed micron spatial variations in the binding energy of biexcitons. With these observations in mind, it stands to reason that a crystal that has spatially heterogeneous electronic structure should also have spatially dependent exciton diffusion. The purpose of this project is to test that hypothesis by studying the link between electronic heterogeneity and exciton/charge diffusion on the micron length scale within microcrystals and domains of thin films. To do so, you will help build and test a new version of our 2D White-Light microscope. Using this new microscope, we will image the ultrafast dynamics in singlet fission and 2D perovskite microcrystals as well as purposely engineered thin films of semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The images will give spatial maps that correlate electronic heterogeneity to exciton and charge diffusion lengths. In this postdoc, you would gain technical expertise building a new type of ultrafast microscope and scientific expertise in a range of exciting materials.

Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (hIAPP) Aggregation

Zanni group seeks a researcher to study the molecular mechanism of protein aggregation associated with type 2 diabetes.  We believe that we have trapped a (the?) toxic oligomer of hIAPP and we are working to better characterize it both spectroscopically and biochemically. The position would entail learning 2D IR spectroscopy as well as wet-techniques like peptide synthesis, cellular toxicity assays, culture of pancreatic islets, and may involve sacrificing mice or at least working with the tissues of sacrificed mice. No prior experience necessary.  We are looking for people who have or want to broaden their skillset.  Here is a link to some of our papers on the topic.  Contact us and we will send more specifics on the project.