POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (REF: POSTDOC ER)

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Dr.
Elisabet Romero Research Group.
ICIQ is one of the world’s internationally recognized leading institutions in the field of chemistry committed to solving major social and economic challenges by conducting top quality research in three main areas:  Sustainable   Catalysis,  Renewable Energy  and  Health.
The institute also aims at training the future generation of scientists by offering high-quality educational programs to master, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (full details in  https://iciq.
rg/careers/).
Project description.
The design and construction of artificial photosynthetic systems with analogous or even enhanced functionalities to those found in nature is one of the great challenges of modern science.
In this project, we aim to design and construct bio-inspired light-activated chromophore-protein assemblies composed by abundant and biodegradable materials with the capacity to absorb, transfer and convert solar to electrochemical energy by following the  Quantum Design Principles of Photosynthesis  (Romero et al,  Nature, ).
Our approach consists of creating light-harvesting (solar energy absorption and transfer) and charge-separation (energy conversion via electron transfer) units by incorporating chromophores with controllable distances and relative orientations into  de novo  designed alpha-helix protein bundles (the smart matrix) to generate ultrafast and coherent energy and electron transfer processes with high efficiency and, even more critical, in the desired direction.
Ultimately, these assemblies will be coupled to molecular catalysts for the conversion of solar energy to fuel.
Responsibilities.
To design and construct bio-inspired chromophore-protein assemblies able to absorb, transfer, and convert solar energy into a charge-separated state.
This will be achieved by gradually increasing the assembly’s complexity.
firstly, creating excitonically coupled dimers of chromophores; secondly, introducing charge transfer character in these excitons; and thirdly, establishing coherent coupling within the excitonic manifold.
To investigate the electronic properties of the assemblies by a collection of spectroscopic techniques both steady-state [Absorption, Fluorescence, Linear and Circular Dichroism, Stark, Resonance Raman, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)] and time-resolved [(in collaboration with other group members).
Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy (2DES), Transient Absorption, Transient Fluorescence (with a Streak camera), and Time-correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC)].
To run and maintain the steady-state spectroscopic instruments.
To conduct independent research as well as in collaboration with other members of the group.
To supervise PhD and/or Master students.
To write reports, scientific articles, and present the research outcomes in international conferences.