[Neutron] Advertisement: Postdoctoral researcher on kinetic structural study of photosynthetic membranes at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

[Nagy, Gergely]

Dear Colleagues,

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to perform cutting-edge research in the study of photosynthetic membrane structure in vivo using neutron scattering.

The photosynthetic performance of plants under a variety of environmental conditions, at the fundamental level, depends largely on the organization and structural flexibility of thylakoid membranes. These highly organized membranes accommodate virtually all protein complexes and additional compounds carrying out the light reactions of photosynthesis. Most regulatory mechanisms fine-tuning the photosynthetic functions affect the organization of thylakoid membranes at different levels of their structural complexity. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is an ideal tool for in vivo structural study of these membranes. Due to the complexity of these membranes - especially in higher plants - the analysis of their SANS signal has been challenging. This project will expand the capabilities of SANS experiments and data interpretation on thylakoid membranes and allow to answer a range of questions about the regulatory functions of the macroorganization of the most abundant membrane on Earth.

In this position you will:
(1) Perform time resolved small-angle neutron scattering experiments to study the structure of plant thylakoid membranes in vivo.
(2) Contribute to the development of a sample environment for the in-situ illumination of photosynthetic systems.
(3) Refine and/or develop methods and models for analyzing data from these challenging systems .
(4) Combine the obtained information with information obtained from complementary techniques to understand how the structures observed relate to physiological processes in photosynthetic organisms.

The position resides in the SANS and Spin Echo Group, part of the Large-Scale Structures Section of the Neutron Scattering Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.  The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) are world-leading facilities and the scientific center of a diverse, international, and inclusive neutron scattering community (https://neutrons.ornl.gov).

To apply for this position, see https://jobs.ornl.gov/job/Oak-Ridge-Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-Kinetic-Structural-Study-of-Photosynthetic-Membranes-TN-37830/1233043800/  .

Informal enquiries can be sent to Gergely Nagy (nagyg at ornl.gov<mailto:nagyg at ornl.gov> ).


Gergely Nagy, Ph.D.
Neutron Scattering Division
Large Scale Structures Section
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
PO Box 2008; MS-6475
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

phone 865-341-0482<tel:(865)%20241-0093>
email  nagyg at ornl.gov<mailto:nagyg at ornl.gov>

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