Senior Research Associate / Research Associate in Ultrafast Spectroscopy

A postdoctoral research position in experimental ultrafast spectroscopy is available in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, supported by the ERC Advanced Grant 101199104 Ultrafast Photochemistry in Organic Aerosols (PHAERO). This project is led by Prof Andrew Orr-Ewing (University of Bristol, UK).

The research will investigate how photochemical reactions of organic molecules are affected by confinement in micron-scale aerosol droplets. The droplets will be prepared from solutions in either water or organic solvents. The organic solutes will be chosen as examples of molecules that are photochemically active in atmospheric aerosol particles, and the project will build on recent work from the Bristol group to study the photochemistry of these compounds in bulk solutions [1 – 3]. 

To probe the photochemical dynamics in microdroplets, time-resolved laser spectroscopy techniques will be combined with single aerosol particle generation and trapping methods [4]. A laboratory will be established at the University of Bristol with a new ultrafast laser system capable of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and 2DIR spectroscopy. The outcomes of the experimental studies will establish how photochemical pathways are affected by specific properties of aerosol droplets, such as their large surface-area to volume ratios, morphology dependent optical resonances, solute supersaturation, and high viscosity. The research will improve understanding of how aerosol photochemistry influences the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere and the climate.

What will you be doing?

You will conduct ultrafast laser experiments in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, which is the top-ranked Chemistry department for research in the UK (REF2021). You will collaborate closely with other research groups at the University of Bristol working in ultrafast laser spectroscopy (led by Dr Tom Oliver and Dr Mike Price), aerosol science (led by Dr Bryan Bzdek and Prof Jonathan Reid) and computational chemistry (Prof Basile Curchod). You will contribute to establishing the new ultrafast laser laboratory, which will have capabilities for a range of transient absorption, fluorescence lifetime, and 2DIR measurements. You will also participate in experimental studies at national and international facilities including X-ray free electron lasers and the HiLUX facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. You will assist in the supervision of postgraduate and undergraduate students in the Orr-Ewing group carrying out related research projects. You will analyse and interpret experimental data, drawing on guidance from computational studies, and prepare these results for publication.

You should apply if

You are an early career researcher ideally with a PhD in Physical Chemistry or Physics and experience with ultrafast laser spectroscopy. The following skills and experience are advantageous: use of ultrafast laser amplifiers and optical parametric amplifiers; transient absorption spectroscopy; development of Labview control software.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 30/11/2030

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: I or J/Pathway 2

Salary: Grade I £39,906 - £44,746 per annum; Grade J £43,482 - £50,253 per annum

The grade of the role offered will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience you bring to the position.