*Characterization by LD-TOFMS of extraterrestrial carbonaceous materials*
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, University Paris-Sud, Orsay (France) and
Laboratoire de Photophysique Moléculaire, University Paris-Sud, Orsay
(France)
A two-years post-doctoral position is available starting from January
2007 in the group of Louis d'Hendecourt at the Institut d'Astrophysique
Spatiale, University Paris-Sud at Orsay. This position takes place in
the context of a joint project supported by the french national research
agency (ANR). This project involving two research teams, the «
Experimental Astrochemistry » team at the Institut d'Astrophysique
Spatiale (Louis d'Hendecourt) and the « Astrophysics and Molecular
Assemblies » team at the Laboratoire de Photophysique Moléculaire
(Philippe Bréchignac), is devoted to the study of carbon chemistry in
the Universe.
The post-doc will join and develop the activities on soft molecular
desorption of organics produced by various methods in the laboratory.
The goal will be to apply these methods to collected extraterrestrial
materials. The proposed experimental techniques combine Laser Desorption
from bulk solids or physisorbed particles in order to volatize the
neutral analytes (from small molecules up to large molecular weight
components) and subsequent analysis of the species by high resolution
TOF-MS. The aim of such experiments is to understand the chemical nature
of the carbon phases that are currently observed in interstellar space,
in various environments such as stellar envelopes, the diffuse
interstellar medium, molecular clouds and protoplanetary disks.
The successful applicant will be an energetic individual with good
academic records and a specific experience in the area of TOF-MS, who
has recently completed a relevant PhD in Physics, Chemistry or a closely
related discipline. Experimental skills and interest in the development
of intruments are highly desirable. Some background in Laser Desorption
techniques will be appreciated.
Available in the two laboratories are several experimental set-ups aimed
at producing analogs of interstellar dust materials made of various
allotropic forms of carbon. These materials are produced by combustion,
reactive plasmas, irradiation, or photochemical processes in « dirty »
ices. All items have a strong link to astrophysical topics. The common
perspective is to extend these studies from synthetic materials to
natural ones, i.e. the analysis of organic matter in extraterrestrial
samples (micrometeorites, interplanetary dust particles, samples from
the « Stardust » mission ).
To be considered for the project, applicants should send an application
letter explaining their motivation, CV, and publication list, and should
arrange themselves for two letters of reference to be sent to Dr. Louis
d'Hendecourt ([log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>_).
Approximate salary : +/- 1650 €/Month, netto
For more details, consult: _
www.ias.fr <http://www.ias.fr/>_
<http://www.ias.fr/>_www.ppm.u-psud.fr <http://www.ppm.u-psud.fr/>_
--
Thomas Pino, Chargé de recherche CNRS
Laboratoire de Photophysique Moléculaire
Fédération Lumière Matière
bâtiment 210, Université Paris-Sud
F-91 405 Orsay Cedex
France
Tél : +33 (0)1 69 15 73 19 (office)
+33 (0)1 69 15 82 32 (Lab)
+33 (0)1 69 15 82 33 (Lab)
Fax : +33 (0)1 69 15 67 77
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