Post-doctoral position in the understanding of ultrafast phenomena within physics and chemistry using laser diagnostics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Understanding ultrafast phenomena is extremely challenging due to the extreme timescales involved; rapid chemical reactions that are governed by inter-molecular collisions may occur on a picosecond timescale while e.g. light-based phenomena within physics happen on a femtosecond timescale. However, as long as the phenomena under study can be repeated, the temporal dynamics can be investigated by sequentially probing the sample several times. This project concerns phenomena that cannot be understood using such sequential data acquisition but requires means to acquire all the dynamics in one acquisition. At the Division of Combustion Physics at Lund University, we have developed a laser-based video method – referred to as FRAME – that can film at record-breaking video rates, opening up for investigations of ultrafast phenomena that could not be studied in the past.

Work duties

The topic of this project concerns measurements of ultrafast phenomena within physics and chemistry. The postdoc will be responsible for building up the laboratory platforms for the different experiments and for the chararcterisation of the objects under study. These platforms may include high voltage electric fields as well as high power laser pulses. The postdoc will work together with the research team in Lund, currently consisting of the PI (senior lecturer) and three PhD students. Together with the research group, the postdoc will plan, execute the experiments, analyze the data and publish the results.

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience in laser diagnostic techniques for imaging applications
• Knowledge and experience in programming in either Matlab or Python

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Good ability to co-operate and work in a research team.
• Experience in experiments involving high voltage plasmas
• Experience in experiments involving high power lasers
• Experience in microscopic imaging
• Experience in experiments involving ultrafast phenomena

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/