PhD position: Modeling the optical properties of biogenic crystals

Location: i-CLeHS UMR 8060 - Chimie ParisTech, Paris (France)

Topics: Biogenic crystals, DFT, Theoretical Chemistry, Polymorphism

Starting date: October 2023

We are seeking a candidate to work on a fully funded 3 years PhD project dedicated to biogenic crystals, which are biologically formed molecular crystals that play a key role in various optical phenomena based on the reflection and scattering of light such as animal coloration and vision. In this project, using modelling techniques based on density functional theory, we aim to better understand the relationship between the structures and the properties of such crystals and how organisms modify their morphologies to promote specific optical effects.

Relevant Skills:

• Master’s degree in physics, chemistry or theoretical chemistry
• Prior experience in computational chemistry
• Prior programming experience, or at least an interest in programming
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Interested candidates should send a CV, a motivation letter as well as at least one recommendation letter to:

[email protected] and [email protected]