A Post-doctoral position is available on the DESIRS VUV beamline at the French synchrotron center 
SOLEIL (Gif sur Yvette, France). This beamline is equipped with a new Fourier-Transform (FT) 
spectrometer, based upon wavefront-division instead of the classical amplitude division as used in 
the classical Michelson interferometer-based FT spectroscopy
[N. de Oliveira, D. Joyeux, D. Phalippou, F. Polack, Surf. Rev. Letters, 9, 655, (2002)].

This feature allows the use of FT spectroscopy in absorption in the 5 – 25 eV range (250 – 50 nm) 
range with unprecedented resolving powers (250000 to 1000000, respectively) for the performing 
of ultra-high resolution absorption spectroscopy in the VUV range on molecular systems, 
including cold molecules and radicals, with a strong astrophysical and atmospherical orientation.

The FT spectrometer has already shown nominal performances in the UV range (N. de Oliveira, D. 
Joyeux, D. Phalippou, J.-C. Rodier, L. Nahon, F. Polack and M. Vervloet, Proceeedings of SRI 2006 
(Daegu, Corée), May 28th– June 2nd 2006, AIP Proc. 879, 447-450 (2007)). Owing to a dedicated 
grant obtained through the ANR (French National Research Agency) it is in the process of being 
upgraded for VUV conditions. Within this grant a dedicated sample environment chamber, 
equipped with a double differentially-pumped windowless absorption cell and a free molecular 
beam is currently at the conception stage.

The research project involves the assembling and commissioning of this sample environment 
chamber as well as the use of the complete facility “absorption chamber + FT spectrometer” on 
dedicated small molecular samples studied with a high enough column density so that high 
signal-to-noise data should be collected. The candidate will be able to carry on its own research 
program and will also be embedded into several ongoing collaborative projects including users 
from different labs.

The successful candidate:
-	will have a PhD in experimental physics or chemical physics
-	is required to have a strong background in high resolution molecular spectroscopy 
(preferentially in the UV/VUV range, but IR would be also considered) including the use of 
molecular beams
-	is not required to have previous experience if FT spectroscopy but it would be a bonus
-	is not required to have any previous experience in synchrotron radiation techniques

The position is available for one year starting between November 2007 and January 2008.

Interested candidates should send a CV (including publication list) and arrange for two 
recommendation letters to be sent upon request to :
Laurent Nahon ([log in to unmask])
Nelson de Oliveira ([log in to unmask])

Feel free to contact us for further details.

More on the DESIRS beamline can be found at : http://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr/portal/page/
portal/Recherche/LignesLumiere/DESIRS

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