ESR11 (UL, Luxembourg City)

Ultrafast 2D mid-IR/vibrational micro-spectroscopy of organic molecules

Supervisor Professor Daniele Birda
University of Luxembourg Physics and Materials Science Research Unit

Early Stage Researcher within the the collaborative research project MUSIQ in the frame of the EU Horizon2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018.

  • Ref: 50014401 / R-AGR-3570-10-C
  • Starting date: tentatively September 2019 ; January 2020 at the latest
  • Initial 14 months fixed-term contract, renewable for up to 36 months, with a further possible 1-year extension if required
  • Full time (40 hours/week)
  • Employee and student status

Your Role

The successful candidates will be expected to conduct research under the guidance of Prof. Daniele Brida with the aim of obtaining a PhD in Physics. 

The research project is titled: ”Ultrafast 2D mid-IR/vibrational micro-spectroscopy” and targets the development of an experimental setup that will combine the generation of ultrabroadband pulses in the mid-IR spectral region (from 20 to 5 µm wavelength) with their coherent superimposition for multidimensional spectroscopy. Mid-IR enables the direct interrogation of vibrational resonances. Our approach will allow the full detection of the sample response via direct detection in amplitude and phase of the electric field oscillation by means of electro-optic sampling of the mid-IR pulses. This system will be coupled to a home-made mid-IR microscope that will add spatial resolution. A second activity will be the application of broadband mid-IR pulses to the sensing of relevant organic/bio molecules in the “finger-print” region. This task will exploit the field-enhancement in the mid-IR provided by plasmonic antennas based on heavily doped Ge. This research has the potential to allow the detection of vibrational correlations in complex molecular systems like proteins in a sample with diluted concentrations that mimic the situation that occurs in vivo.

Our department offers an outstanding and dynamic environment for PhD candidates, with multiple seminars, working groups, colloquia, and a doctoral school which also includes access to multiple training opportunities, including some not only focussed on physics.

In addition, the research activity is performed within the framework of MUSIQ, an innovative ETN with the unique vision of developing the next-generation optical microscopy exploiting quantum coherent nonlinear phenomena. Through 15 ESR research projects, MUSIQ will establish an intersectoral training and research programme at the physics/chemistry/life science interface with partners from 9 European countries. MUSIQ ESRs will enrol on PhD degree programmes and be employed for 36 months in a beneficiary organisation. The consortium brings together a unique team of world-leading academic groups and industry, at the forefront of optical microscopy technology developments merged with fundamental understanding of ultrafast coherent light-matter interaction phenomena, development of quantitative image analysis tools, and biomedical/pharmaceutical real-world applications. MUSIQ aims at creating the next generation of skilled well-connected scientists that will pioneer the ‘quantum microscopes of tomorrow’.

Specific to MUSIQ, in addition to their individual scientific projects, all ESRs will benefit from further continuing education through a dedicated training program in the various fields of expertise of the consortium partners, which includes secondments, a variety of training modules, transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops, conferences and outreach activities.

As part of the position, the successful candidate will be enrolled as a student for a PhD at the University of Luxembourg.

For any additional information, please contact Prof. Daniele Brida at: [email protected]

Your Profile

  • Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in physics or related disciplines. The degree must be obtained before the beginning of the contract but you can apply before.
  • Good command of written and spoken English
  • Strong dedication to experimental physics at a research level
  • Experience in ultrafast Science and experimental condensed matter Physics is preferential.

Additional requirements:

Must at the date of recruitment, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. ‘Date of Recruitment’ means the first day of the employment of the researcher (i.e. contract starting date). ‘Full-Time Equivalent Research Experience’ is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him/her to embark on a doctoral degree programme.

– Must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Luxembourg for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

Further Information

The applications will be reviewed as soon as received. The call will be open until 30 September 2019 unless a candidate is accepted before the deadline.

Documents

  • Letter of motivation, explaining the reasons for applying to Luxembourg
  • Full CV
  • Transcript of academic records and copies of diploma
  • Names of at least two references who are willing to write a letter of recommendation on the candidate’s behalf (they may be contacted by us)
  • Any other relevant documents

The University of Luxembourg is an equal opportunity employer and applications by women and minorities are especially encouraged.

Important

As well as applying to the University of Luxembourg, please send your CV with a Cover Letter to the Consortium Coordinator email: [email protected]. In the Cover Letter please indicate for which project you are applying and provide a brief motivation as to why you wish to become an ESR within MUSIQ. Please be aware that your CV may be shared with the named beneficiaries within the consortium, as part of the application review process, to ensure an open, transparent and merit based recruitment. Please see the full MUSIQ Data Privacy Notice

How to apply for the job

Please apply to the job via the the local advert: http://recruitment.uni.lu/en/details.html?id=QMUFK026203F3VBQB7V7VV4S8&nPostingID=41996&nPostingTargetID=55579&mask=karriereseiten&lg=UK