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PDRA position: Coherent control of photochemistry A vacancy exists for a short-term postdoctoral position in the Department of Chemistry at University College London. The post is funded by the EPSRC (UK Engineering and Physics Sciences Research Council). Candidates may be of any nationality, but must have a strong background in experimental physical chemistry or physics. Experience with either photoelectron imaging or ultrafast lasers is essential, and experience with pulse shaping and diagnostics would be an advantage. The starting salary is £25,889 pa on the UCL Grade 7 scale (which will be £25,889 to £31,840) plus a London Allowance of £2,497. The post is available from 1 March 2007 or as soon as possible thereafter. Progression through the salary scale is incremental. Cost of living pay awards are negotiated nationally and are usually effective from 1st August each year. For further details please contact: Professor Helen Fielding Department of Chemistry University College London 20 Gordon Street London WC1H 0AJ, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 5575 Email: [log in to unmask] www.chem.ucl.ac.uk/people/fielding Project description During the last decade it has become possible to use femtosecond lasers to control photochemical reactions. The most successful approach has been to shape the femtosecond laser pulse by changing the relative phases between the various wavelengths supported within its broad bandwidth. This has the effect of changing the quantum interferences between the various components of the molecular wave packet launched onto an electronically excited potential energy surface. By combining this phase-control with a learning algorithm that receives feedback from the experiment, it is possible to optimise the phases of the laser field to steer the photochemical reaction along a specific pathway. This project aims to unravel the mechanisms of coherent control. It is a collaboration between three groups with expertise in the experimental applications of ultrafast lasers to coherent control (Helen Fielding, University College London) and quantum chemistry calculations of photochemical reactions (Mike Robb/Mike Bearpark, Imperial College London and Graham Worth, Birmingham). A short vacancy of up to approximately 10 months has arisen in the final year of this project. The equipment is built and requires a postdoc to work with PhD students to run the experiments and interpret the results. To apply: Please send a copy of your CV with the names of two referees and the following forms, completed, to Professor Helen Fielding. www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/docs/download_forms/recruitment_selection_I.doc www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/docs/download_forms/recruitment_eo.doc The closing date for applications is Wednesday 21st February 2007. To join or leave the molecular-dynamics-news email list, go to: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/molecular-dynamics-news.html