PhD

PhD position in Delft, van der Zant lab: Quantum transport phenomena in bionanowires

[08-06-2022]

Back ground: We recently discovered that so-called cable bacteria can efficiently transport charge through fibers which have a diameter of about 50 nm; the precise mechanism is, however, not yet clear. In this PhD project, the candidate will further investigate this intriguing phenomenon.

Work description: We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated experimental physicist to work on the fabrication of devices comprising bionanowires to investigate their charge transport mechanism by measuring the electrical properties as function of a variety of external stimuli (gate voltage, magnetic field, light). Special emphasis will be on making submicron devices and study their (quantum) transport behavior. The successful candidate will work in the state-of-the cleanroom of the Kavli Nanolaboratory and will use different set-ups to measure the electrical properties as a function of e.g. temperature. She/he will also be involved in the interpretation of the data for which knowledge on transport models (variable-range hopping, ballistic transport, polaron transport (Marcus theory) and other mesoscopic transport properties) is needed.

Requirements: The candidate should hold a master degree in physics or nanophysics with a strong interest for biophysics- and biology-related phenomena. Familiarity with experimental techniques concerning clean-room fabrication and sensitive electrical measurements is highly recommended.

Applications: Please submit your motivation letter and CV as one single PDF file and send it to h.s.j.vanderzant@tudelft.nl.

The 4-year position is supported by the European Union through the PRINGLE pathfinder project; work is done in close collaboration with researchers from the University of Antwerp who provide the bionanowires. The starting date of the position is summer/autumn 2022.

Further reading: Highly conductive periplasmic structures mediate long-distance electron transport in cable bacteria, F.J.R. Meysman et al., Nature Communications 10 (2019) 4120 (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12115-7).

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