Postdoctoral Research Associate – ultrafast spectroscopy applications in catalysis

Excellent opportunity for a postdoctoral research associate to work in a leading science environment.

Discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world.

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate to join an exciting research programme applying the latest techniques of ultrafast infrared spectroscopy to problems in heterogeneous catalysis.

Your main responsibilities will include

• scientific research across several projects (lead and support roles)
• managing and modifying spectroscopy research instrumentation
• supporting the operation of the research group’s lab and data infrastructure
• sample handling

About you

You will have a PhD in the Physical Sciences and be interested in condensed phase chemical physics/physical chemistry, laser spectroscopy and catalysis science. You are an experimental scientist adept in the key aspects of spectroscopy. You should have experience in ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy, such as 2D-IR and transient IR, or a strong track record in applying other spectroscopic techniques to study catalysts combined with a strong motivation to learn ultrafast spectroscopy.

About the Central Laser Facility

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is a national laboratory at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire and co-located with Diamond Light Source (UK’s national synchrotron radiation facility), the ISIS neutron source and STFC’s space, particle physics and computing departments. The CLF hosts unique ultrafast laser systems that are some of the best in the world.  The CLF has around 180 staff and its function - user facilities and international research – makes it a very friendly, outgoing and externally facing place. 

As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe’s largest research organisations and operates at a number of sites within the UK, including RAL and many more around the world. RAL is home to about 1,200 staff that work with a community of more than 10,000 scientists and engineers mainly from the research sector, which spans the scientific spectrum including energy, security, materials healthcare, life-sciences and the environment to address meaningful challenges facing society.

What we offer

We are offering a fixed term position with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
• flexible working hours
• an excellent defined average salary pension scheme
• employee shopping/travel discounts
• excellent learning and development opportunities

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

Closing Date: 2^nd February 2025

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