Collisional Excitation and Reactivity for Astrophysical Applications

This fully funded 3-year PhD position is based at the Institute of Physics of Rennes (IPR), France, under the ANR-funded BRIGHTER programme. The project combines experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate collisional energy transfer and reactivity between molecules at very low temperatures, with direct applications in molecular astrophysics and astrochemistry. The successful candidate will work with state-of-the-art instrumentation, including chirped-pulse millimetre-wave spectrometers and CRESU technology, to study key astrophysically relevant molecules and radicals. Collaboration with experimental and theoretical teams at Rennes and a research stay at RIKEN (Japan) are integral parts of the project. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to fundamental research while advancing our understanding of molecular processes in interstellar environments, cometary comae, and planetary atmospheres.

• Conduct experimental studies on collisional excitation and reaction kinetics of astrophysically relevant molecules and radicals using advanced instrumentation like chirped-pulse millimetre-wave spectrometers and pulsed lasers.
• Collaborate closely with experimental and theoretical teams at the Institute of Physics of Rennes to integrate findings from both approaches.
• Perform research stays at RIKEN (Japan) to conduct complementary spectroscopic experiments and astronomical observations.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to advance the understanding of molecular collisions at very low temperatures.
• Contribute to the development and application of CRESU technology for studying molecular processes in astrophysical environments.
• Present research findings at international conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.