Doctoral Position in Circularly Polarized Attosecond Pulses and Chiral Charge Migration
Join an ERC-funded project at ETH Zurich to advance attosecond chiroptical pump-probe spectroscopy.
Best for:Best for candidates with a strong background in experimental physics or physical chemistry and a passion for ultrafast optics.
Overview
The Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Attosecond Science group at ETH Zurich is seeking a doctoral student to join an ambitious ERC-funded project titled Attochirality. The research focuses on the generation and characterization of circularly polarized isolated attosecond pulses and their application to studying chiral charge migration. The successful candidate will work with advanced laser systems, reaction microscopes, and coincidence spectroscopy to explore electronic dynamics in molecules. This role involves experimental design, data analysis, and collaboration within an international team of scientists and engineers.
What you'll do
- Implement and operate an attosecond beamline utilizing a CEP-stabilized Yb-fibre laser.
- Generate and characterize circularly polarized isolated attosecond pulses.
- Perform three-dimensional electron-ion coincidence measurements using a reaction microscope.
- Investigate chirality-sensitive charge migration in isolated and microhydrated molecules.
- Collaborate with laser scientists, engineers, and theoretical researchers.
- Present research findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
- Contribute to the group's teaching activities and scientific life.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in physical chemistry, physics, chemistry, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; high proficiency required.
Instruction: English
- Hands-on research experience in femtosecond lasers, nonlinear optics, or XUV spectroscopy.
- Experience with vacuum instrumentation, detector systems, or precision optical experiments.
- Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabView, C/C++).
- Ability to build, align, and troubleshoot complex experimental setups.
- Excellent written and spoken English proficiency.
- Must hold a Master's degree by the start date.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-07-13 · open until filled
Submit your application exclusively through the ETH Zurich online portal. Ensure all required documents are combined into a single PDF file.
- Cover letter
- CV
- Bachelor's degree certificate
- Master's degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Master's thesis summary
- 2 reference letters
Contact
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