PhD Position: Nanopore Detection of Nanocluster Heterogeneity

The University of Basel invites applications for a four-year PhD position within the prestigious Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) PhD School. The project, jointly supervised by Prof. Sonja Schmid and Prof. Florian P. Seebeck, focuses on developing protein nanopore platforms to characterize the heterogeneity of metal nanoclusters at the single-molecule level. Candidates will work in an interdisciplinary environment, bridging biophysical and bioinorganic chemistry to gain insights into prebiotic life and material science. The role involves experimental nanopore assay development, protein engineering, and the implementation of machine learning for signal classification. Applicants should be highly motivated individuals with a strong background in chemistry, nanoscience, or related disciplines.

• Develop and optimize protein nanopore-based platforms for the analysis of metal nanoclusters.
• Establish experimental assays to detect and characterize individual nanoclusters with single-molecule resolution.
• Engineer and purify protein nanopores with specific sensitivities to size and charge.
• Create data analysis pipelines and apply machine learning techniques for signal classification.
• Collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team of physicists, chemists, and life scientists.
• Disseminate research findings through scientific publications and conference presentations.