Thesis project (BSc/MSc): How does nature break symmetry?

Work Activities
Many molecules and crystals exist in two mirror-image forms (left- and right-handed). Yet in nature, and especially in living systems, often one handedness dominates. How can a system in which left and right are energetically equivalent still end up choosing a side?


Fig.1: Chiral asymmetry in nature at various scales. Source: Zang, G (2023)

In this thesis project you will study the crystallization of chiral crystals and the emergence and amplification of chirality. The work is inherently interdisciplinary: chemistry (solution conditions, additives, kinetics) meets physics (transport, non-equilibrium growth, instabilities, pattern formation) in the context of biology (the origin of life, bio-inspired processes). Because we explore multiple connected questions, you can co-design the thesis direction based on your interests, ranging from hands-on experiments to modeling and quantitative data analysis.

You will learn

• Crystallization experiments and experimental design
• Optical microscopy and time-lapse imaging
• Quantitative analysis and scientific interpretation
• Working across the interface of physics and chemistry

Reference:

Zhang, G., Cheng, X., Wang, Y., & Zhang, W. (2023). Supramolecular chiral polymeric aggregates: Construction and applications. Aggregate, 4(1), e262.

Qualifications
BSc/MSc students in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or an interdisciplinary track such as Bèta-Gamma. Curiosity and motivation matter more than specific prior techniques.

Work environment
The internship will be conducted in the Self-Organizing Matter group, headed by Prof. dr. Wim Noorduin. Our group focuses on the dynamic interplay between chemical reactions and crystallization phenomena to control the emergence of complexity in the solid state. His group is known for designing physical/chemical schemes to self-organize complex materials and develop new chiral amplification methods for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure building blocks. Current research includes the development of new routes to control crystallization, material composition, shape and hierarchical organization of mineralized structures and the design of physical/chemical feedback mechanisms to self-correct and amplify the emergence of complexity.

AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

Working conditions
At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor.

Supervision by: Tess Heeremans (PhD candidate, Self-Organizing Matter group, AMOLF): I care strongly about the joy of doing science and aim to provide both freedom to follow your curiosity and structured support to build solid scientific skills.

Location: Experiments will mainly be performed at AMOLF (Science Park, Amsterdam) in the Self-Organizing Matter group of Prof.dr. Wim Noorduin. Depending on the thesis angle, collaboration with other groups at AMOLF and the Institute of Physics and HIMS at the UvA is possible/encouraged.

More information?
For further information about the position, please contact Tess Heeremans: t.heeremans@amolf.nl

Link to group website: Wim Noorduin - AMOLF

Application
You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below. Please annex your:

• Resume
• List of followed courses
• Motivation Letter

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.