Postdoctoral scholarship (2 years) in Optical Frequency Comb Spectroscopy

Department of Physics at Umeå University is offering a postdoctoral scholarship within precision spectroscopy of molecules using optical frequency combs. The scholarship is full-time for two years with the start date of Sept 1, 2025, or by agreement. 

Project description

The Optical Frequency Comb Spectroscopy Group (www.umucombs.org) is studying development and applications of comb-based methods for precision measurements of molecular spectra. We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the project ‘Double resonance spectroscopy of small molecules using an optical frequency comb’, financed by the Swedish Research Council and Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. 

Accurate models of high-temperature molecular spectra are needed to analyze data from satellite and ground-based observations of hot-Jupiter exoplanets and other hot astrophysical objects. The accuracy of such models needs to be verified using data obtained from high-precision laboratory measurements. Such data are missing for many molecular species, because high-temperature spectra are difficult to obtain and analyze. To circumvent this problem, our group uses double-resonance spectroscopy with a frequency comb probe (Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 063001, 2021, Nat. Commun. 15, 161, 2024) to selectively measure and assign individual hot-band transitions in methane and other molecules of interest in astrophysics. The aim of this postdoctoral project is to further expand the capabilities of our double-resonance spectrometer to reach higher energy levels than currently possible. This will be done by introducing a new two-step pumping scheme. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to take part in the upgrade of the spectrometer and to use it for measurements of energy levels of methane in the 12000 cm^-1 range. Our group offers a dynamic, creative, ambitious, and international environment, with many external collaborations and opportunities for the postdoctoral fellow to present papers at international meetings and conferences.

The scholarship is for two years and is financed by the Kempe Foundation. The scholarship amounts to 360,000 SEK per year and is tax-free.

 
Qualifications

To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient.

Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree before that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

The doctoral degree should be within experimental physics, physical chemistry, or equivalent.

The candidate should have previous experience in precision spectroscopy and development of laser-based spectroscopic systems.

Fluency in English is required.

Experience in conducting independent research and publishing articles in renowned scientific journals is a strong merit.

The candidate should be highly motivated and have the ability to do research independently as well as a part of a research group.

Application 

A full application must include:

• Cover letter stating your motivation for applying and summarizing your qualifications for the position, your previous research experience as well as your experience in the area mentioned above (max. one page),
• Curriculum vitae (CV) with a publication list,
• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
• Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
• Copy of doctoral thesis and up to three relevant articles,
• Contact information to two persons willing to act as references,
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

The application should be written in English (preferably) or Swedish and attached documents should be in Word or PDF format. The application should be registered via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system Varbi and submitted by April 25, 2025.

For more information, please contact Professor Aleksandra Foltynowicz Matyba, aleksandra.foltynowicz@umu.se

We look forward to receiving your application!