PhD Candidate in Molecular Physics / Physical Chemistry / Laboratory Astrophysics

HFML-FELIX at Radboud University in Nijmegen (Netherlands) is looking for a PhD candidate on the project 'Prebiotic Chemistry at Work in Space' funded by the Max Planck - Radboud University Center for Infrared Free-Electron Laser Spectroscopy.

You will study gas-phase ion-molecule reactions with the main goal to gain a fundamental understanding of formation processes of prebiotic molecules such as simple sugars and amino acids in cold astronomical environments. Your work will focus on experimental research, in which you will use a cryogenic ion-trap instrument coupled to the FELIX free-electron lasers to study reaction kinetics at low temperatures and to apply infrared action spectroscopy to obtain precise knowledge of the structure of ionic reactants and products.

You will collaborate closely with a PhD candidate in the group of J. Pérez-Ríos at the Fritz-Haber-Institut in Berlin (Germany), which is conducting theoretical molecular dynamics studies of the same processes in order to derive a full understanding of the principles that govern these reactions.

As part of your PhD training, you will perform duties as a teaching assistant in our Physics and Astronomy educational programme, supervising BSc and MSc students within the context of your project.