research associate (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H

research associate (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, limited term, part-time (currently 20 hours per week)

Application deadline:
03.01.2025
Date of hire:
01.04.2025
vacancy number:38037
In the Cluster Dynamics group is concerned with the following fundamental questions, which are addressed by experiments using lasers and synchrotron radiation on molecular and cluster beams:

• What are the fundamental processes by which matter interacts with ionising radiation when we vary the state of matter from atoms to molecules to nanometer-sized clusters and droplets?
• What can be learned from the detection of the products of light-matter interactions? What can be learned from the measurement of spectra and dynamic processes in molecules and nanoclusters?
• Can this knowledge be used to exploit the light-matter interaction that occurs in nature for technological or medical developments?

The aim of this project is to investigate the ultrafast dynamics of atom and molecular clusters as well as superfluid helium nanodroplets irradiated with short and intense extreme ultraviolet and X-ray pulses. Resonant excitation and photoionization trigger complex relaxation dynamics, in particular various inter-atomic and inter-molecular processes such as the transfer of an electron, a proton or a (virtual) photon from one molecule to another. Many of these processes are not yet well understood, although they play an important role, for example, in the photochemistry of the atmosphere and in living tissues exposed to UV and ionizing radiation. These processes are studied using modern lasers and synchrotron radiation sources as well as sophisticated charged particle detectors and sources for clusters and nanoparticles.

Tasks

• Scientific collaboration in research and teaching in the field of cluster dynamics
• Independent work on a sub-area of research in time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction imaging
• Experimental investigations of dynamic processes in molecules and nano-clusters using time-resolved electron spectroscopy and ultrashort XUV and X-ray pulses
• Participation in measurement campaigns at major international research facilities in Germany and Europe (DESY in Hamburg, FERMI in Trieste, ELI Beamlines in Prague)
• Data evaluation, interpretation, modeling and writing scientific publications
• Participation in the maintenance and development of the department's infrastructure
• Participation in the department's teaching obligations
• Participation in the external representation of the department and the communication of our research to the public

Requirements

• Completed university degree in physics or chemistry. The required qualification must be in place by the start date at the latest
• A high level of organizational and teamwork skills

The following are advantageous:

• Good knowledge of atomic and molecular physics
• Experience in using vacuum equipment, photoelectron spectrometers, femtosecond spectroscopy, imaging techniques, particularly X-ray diffraction
• Good programming skills, particularly in Python

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Marcel Mudrich, Tel.: +4522371120.