Dear Colleagues,
we have currently a vacancy for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Molecular Astrophysics at the FELIX Laboratory (Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands).
I would be grateful if you could bring this advertisement to the attention of promising candidates.
With best regards,
Sandra Brünken
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Project description:
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« Formation processes of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium: laboratory studies of ion-molecule reactions at low temperatures »
To date, more than 200 molecular species have been detected in cold astrophysical environments. In order to gain insight into the formation processes of these often complex organic molecules under the extreme conditions prevalent in interstellar gas clouds, laboratory studies of ion-molecule reaction kinetics under similar conditions, i.e. low temperatures, are needed.
The focus of the PhD project is to measure vibrational signatures of a targeted set of hydrocarbon and nitrogen containing hydrocarbon cations that are the educts or products of such ion-molecule reactions. You will develop, prepare and perform action spectroscopic experiments using a unique combination of a state-of-the-art cryogenic ion trap instrument interfaced to the widely tunable IR free electron lasers of the FELIX Laboratory. You will also be involved in developing and improving the experimental setup to enable kinetic studies on ion-molecule reactions. The spectroscopic studies will be guided and interpreted by high-level quantum-chemical calculations.
As a PhD student working on this project you will gain expertise in modern methods of mass-spectrometry, cryogenic radiofrequency ion traps, molecular spectroscopy and kinetics, molecular beams, (free electron) laser systems, computer programming and data acquisition.
Requirements:
• We are looking for a highly motivated candidate holding (or expecting to receive) a Master’s degree or equivalent in (Astro-/) Physics, Chemistry or a related field.
• Experience with experimental work is highly desirable and knowledge in the fields of gas phase laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry a plus.
• The ability to work both independently and within a team is a key asset.
• The working language is English.
• Willingness to (occasionally) work outside office hours.
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Work environment:
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As a PhD candidate, you will be embedded at the FELIX Laboratory (http://www.ru.nl/felix/) at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) working with Dr. Sandra Brünken in the research line in molecular astrophysics and cold ion spectroscopy. The FELIX Laboratory is an international user facility operating intense, short-pulsed infrared and THz free electron lasers for research of matter, providing a tuning range between 3 and 1500 μm. In user experiments the infrared radiation of the FELIX lasers interacts with molecules and materials, revealing detailed information about 3D structure, functional properties and electronic properties.
Moreover, the FELIX Laboratory is a large research infrastructure and welcomes external users from all over the world to perform research projects with FELIX. As a PhD student, you will also assist external users and participate in collaborative projects at the cryogenic ion trap user station. The FELIX Laboratory is a part of the Faculty of Science at the Radboud University.
More information and Application:
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The deadline for application is January 20, 2019; the start date of the PhD contract can be as early as April 2019.
Information on the employment conditions, application procedure and required documents can be found here:
https://www.ru.nl/imm/about_imm/vacancies/phd-openings/
Further details on the PhD project and working environment is available here:
https://www.ru.nl/publish/pages/869701/62_102_18_1_1_-_formation_processes_of_complex_organic_molecules_in_the_interstellar_medium_1.pdf
For more information, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Sandra Brünken - [log in to unmask]
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