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.
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