Postdoctoral fellow

Job description

At Ghent University, Belgium, we invest in printed opto-electronics based on solution processable colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) (www.nano.ugent.be). These materials can make available a much-needed small footprint, low cost and flexible platform for optical sensing, imaging and spectroscopy in the technologically relevant short and mid-wave infrared (IR) spectrum (1.5 μm – 5 μm). However, while this revolution took place in the visible spectrum, and is happening at the side of detectors for infrared light, QD-based IR light source technology is currently expensive, lacking performance and is based on colloidal nanomaterials made of restricted chemical elements.
We will therefore explore a route towards ‘printable IR opto-electronics’ by investing in three interconnected scientific domains: chemistry, photo-physics and integrated photonics. In particular, your job will be to develop ultrafast infrared optical spectroscopy tools to look at electronic and vibrational dynamics in nano-structured materials with infrared optical transitions, such as quantum dots , to understand how excitons and vibrations interact on the nanoscale on ultrafast timescales. To this end, we are currently developing 1D narrowband pump-probe spectroscopy in the infrared (1500 – 12.000 nm) spectrum. It will be your challenge to push the limits of this setup by developing :
(i) A femtosecond infrared continuum usable as infrared probe light through gas filamentation.
(ii) Implement it in 1D ultra-broadband spectroscopy.
(iii) Use it as a probe for 2D-IR spectroscopy of hybrid organic-inorganic materials..
Once set up, you will be able to test this advanced setup on several new and exploratory materials under development in the group. Next to this, your job will be to head the spectroscopic efforts within the team and become a cornerstone of the Core Facility for advanced laser spectroscopy, NOLIMITS (www.nolimits.ugent.be). You will be part of a team of > 10 people in total, including – apart from several spectroscopists – also chemists and engineers.

Job profile

• You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement. PhD in Physics/Applied Physics/Physical Chemistry or similar, awarded before Oct. 1st 2024
• In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
• Exceptonal scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
• The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
  
  • the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
  • the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
  • Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
• You will work on expanding the current ultrafast spectroscopy lab, which today consists of a well-equipped , climatized facility with pump sources and OPA’s stretching from the UV/VIS to the IR. In particular, this will involve continuum infrared generation through filamentation, implementing it for 1D pump-probe and eventually 2D-infrared methods. To meet such a challenge, we are looking for a highly motivated and skilled researcher with a strong background in pulsed laser spectroscopy (PhD in Physics or Physical Chemistry, or related field), in particular :
• Experience with time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy, either in the visible but preferably in the infrared spectrum, at the level of building such setups , and their implementation in scientific research related to exciton dynamics and/or vibrational spectroscopy.
• Knowhow of non-linear optics and pulsed lasers.
• Experience with multi-dimensional spectroscopy is a plus.
• Good programming skills in Python or similar language.
• A good knowledge of English (oral and written) is a must.
• You work independently, have a strong feeling of responsibility and can commit to timing and milestones set forward in mutual agreement.
• As a post-doc you will have the opportunity to take up a mentoring role for other students in the group and develop your own ideas.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of 12 months which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.
• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on October 1, 2024 at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

Send your application (see below) to Pieter.geiregat@ugent.be with the heading “Application Post-Doc_Last name_First name” no later than August 15th.
For the application itself:

• Check the requirements and job descriptions thoroughly, only relevant profiles will be contacted for an interview !
• Provide a clear CV & Bsc/MSc transcripts with grading.
• Provide a comprehensive CV and please highlight and explain your role in any projects or papers you list in your CV.
• A motivation letter related to this application, and why you are interested a Post-Doc in general.
• PhD thesis text, or a link to download it.
• 3 relevant references (both academic and non-academic are allowed) which can be contacted, with a statement as to why they are relevant, and your relationship to them.
  
  

Application Deadline.

August 15th 2024. Short-listed applicants will be contacted for interview shortly after before end of August.