PhD Position in Femtosecond Spectroscopy of Chiral Molecular Ions
Explore ultrafast chiral molecular ion spectroscopy at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and engineering within an MSCA-funded doctoral network.
Best for:Best for early-career researchers with a Master’s in physics, chemistry, or engineering, passionate about ultrafast spectroscopy, chiral molecular ions, and interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry.
Overview
This PhD position, funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network TRILOGY, focuses on advancing ultrafast spectroscopy of chiral molecular ions. The successful candidate will collaborate between Thermo Fisher Scientific Bremen and the University of Kassel, developing novel instrumentation for chiral photoelectron spectroscopy. The project spans three years, with the first two years based at Thermo Fisher Scientific and the final year at the University of Kassel. The research aims to overcome limitations in conventional chiroptical methods by leveraging attosecond light-driven electron dynamics, with potential applications in life sciences and advanced technologies. The position is ideal for interdisciplinary researchers with a strong background in physics, chemistry, or engineering, particularly those with experience in ultrafast optics, mass spectrometry, or ion trapping.
What you'll do
- Develop and adapt an electrospray ion source and related instrumentation for high-resolution Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer integration.
- Design and optimize an ion guide transfer system for extracting molecular ions to an external spectrometer.
- Establish protocols for producing and accumulating negatively charged chiral molecular ions of pharmaceutical relevance.
- Perform ion-optical simulations to enhance ion trap performance and improve ion accumulation efficiency.
- Integrate experimental control systems between the adapted Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer and the home-built momentum spectrometer at the University of Kassel.
- Conduct and analyze Photoelectron Circular Dichroism (PECD) experiments using femtosecond laser pulses on chiral molecular ions.
- Collaborate with international TRILOGY consortium partners and undertake two funded research stays within the network.
- Publish research findings, present at conferences, and contribute to interdisciplinary research activities spanning physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree or equivalent in physics, engineering, chemistry, or a related discipline
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; excellent proficiency (spoken and written)
Instruction: English
- Proven experience with experimental laboratory research in femtosecond lasers, ion transfer optics, or ion traps
- Strong background in atomic, molecular, and optical physics
- Excellent written and spoken English proficiency
- Experience with scientific instrumentation development
- Applicant must not have resided or carried out main activity (work or studies) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment (MSCA mobility rule)
- Applicant must not already hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment
- Applicant must be eligible for MSCA Doctoral Network funding
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-31 (Europe/Berlin)
Applicants must submit a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, a copy of the Master’s thesis, and any available scientific publications via the Thermo Fisher Scientific job portal. Optional letters of recommendation may also be included.
- Cover letter
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- Academic transcripts
- Copy of Master’s thesis
- Scientific publication (if available)
- Optional: One letter of recommendation
Contact
Thermo Fisher Scientific Bremen GmbH· HR/Recruitment
Create a free profile to unlock your personal match score, the full requirements, funding details and how to apply — in English or Persian.