Student Projects
We strive to pursue a balanced mixture of methodology development, application of established techniques and challenging and slightly more adventurous new projects. You may choose between experimental and theoretical/computational projects.
Please contact Dr. Krüger for the availability of funding and a list of projects.
We particularly invite above-average students with a passion for science to apply. Please send Dr. Krüger your CV, academic record and two recommendation letters. If possible, come to our lab and introduce yourself in person.
A strong background in Physics or Physical Chemistry is recommended. Applicants with a different background may also be considered, but this needs to be strongly motivated. Some experience with lasers and/or chemistry is favourable but not obligatory. Computer programming is a requirement for most of the projects.
Past Student Projects
Luke Ugwuoke (PhD, 2020): “Local spectroscopic properties of certain plasmonic and plexcitonic systems”
Bertus van Heerden (MSc, 2020): “'n Ondersoek na enkeldeeltjie-nasporingsmetodes vir fotosintetiese komplekse”
Farooq Kyeyune (PhD, 2019): “Single molecule spectroscopy on photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes”
Stephen Brookes (Hons, 2019): “Implementation of real-time auto-refocussing into a confocal microscope”
Johann Smith (Hons, 2019): “Investigating the effects of constrained protein motion on the fluorescence blinking behavior of light-harvesting complex II.”
Alexander Paradzah (PhD, 2018): “Resolving ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited plant antennas and hematite nanostructures”
Huzifa Elnour (PhD, 2018): “Spectroscopy and control of ultrafast energy dynamics in natural light–harvesting complexes”
Justin Harrison (MSc, 2018): “Investigating electron-transfer processes of supramolecular donor-acceptor complexes using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy”
Bertus van Heerden (Hons, 2018): “Investigation of Fluorescence Intensity and Lifetime Dynamics of Single LHCII Complexes”
Carrie-Anne Rubidge (Hons, 2018): “Coherent control in light-harvesting complex II”
Johanette Staats (Hons, 2018): “Intensity dynamics of single light-harvesting complexes from cryptophyte algae”
Marissa Boshoff (Hons, 2018): “A comparative study of plasmonic-enhanced fluorescence of the main plant light-harvesting complex induced by gold nanostructures”
Sifiso Mpapane (Hons, 2018): “Calculating and measuring the size and other properties of apertured laser beams”
Asmita Singh (MSc): “Illuminating the ultrafast excited state dynamics of protein-bound carotenoids in plants” [pdf]
Joshua Botha (MSc): “Using single molecule spectroscopy to study fast photoprotective processes in plants” [pdf]
Ashton Dingle (Hons): “Determining the Energy Pathways in Light Harvesting Complex II using Femtosecond Laser Techniques at Two Excitation Wavelengths” [pdf]
Towan Nöthling (MSc): “Exciton Dynamics in Photosynthetic Molecular Aggregates” [pdf]
Download the UP Mobile App