Postdoctoral Researcher - Nieuwegein, Netherlands

Company & location: FOM - Institute for Plasma Physics

Qualification: Doctorate (PhD/DPhil/DEng/Dr.-Ing.)

Closing date: Jun 1, 2009

The Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) promotes, co-ordinates and finances fundamental and applied physics research in the Netherlands. It is an autonomous foundation responsible to the physics division of the national research council NWO. FOM employs about 950 people, of whom about 325 are PhD students and 100 are post-docs, who work at FOM research institutes and in university laboratories. Additional funding is via the Technology Foundation (STW), the European Union, and industry.

The FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics invites qualified applicants for the position of

Postdoctoral Researcher

To set up a new research line directed at the spectroscopic investigation of species of fundamental interest to photo-conversion processes.

Project description
Photocatalytic water splitting on transition-metal oxide surfaces as well as charge separation in dye-sensitized semiconductor photovoltaics are considered to be promising methods to efficiently harvest solar energy. Much effort is currently being devoted to the development of new devices based on these techniques. Here we intend to study the underlying chemistry at a molecular level by investigating the geometric and electronic structure of isolated model systems using sophisticated (IR) spectroscopic methods. These studies make use of the free electron laser FELIX at our institute and a molecular beam TOF spectrometer with laser ablation cluster source. Reactivity studies upon adduct formation and UV irradiation will be an important aspect of this project. In addition, the spectroscopy and structure of charge-transfer complexes relevant to dye-sensitized PVs will be investigated using IR induced photo-dissociation in an FTICR mass spectrometer.

Parallel to this project, surface photochemistry studies aimed at fundamental aspects of photoconversion are being carried out at Rijnhuizen and a close collaboration is foreseen.

Job description

• To adapt, maintain, and run the existing cluster instrument at Rijnhuizen
• To develop a viable research line aimed at fundamentals of photoconversion within the FELIX department
• To report results at international conferences and in the scientific literature
• To acquire additional funding expanding the Rijnhuizen research effort on photoconversion
• To support external researchers using FELIX for cluster research

Qualifications

• PhD degree in experimental physics or physical chemistry
• Experience in gas-phase cluster research
• Experience in gas-phase laser spectroscopy is desired.
• Experience with electronic structure calculations
• Affinity with renewable energies, and photoconversion in particular, is an advantage

Employment conditions
We initially offer a fulltime temporary employment for the duration of three years, but if successful, a permanent position is foreseen. The salary is dependent on qualifications and experience and ranges from € 2.932,- to € 4.326,- gross per month. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% per year and an end- of year-bonus of 8,33 % per year. The conditions of the employment are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centers (CAO Onderzoeksinstellingen).

Information
For further information on the research and the institute see www.rijnhuizen.nl or contact Dr. J. Oomens (+31 30 6096999). Information about employment conditions can be found at www.fom.nl under "personnel" (in English) or "personeelsinformatie£" (in Dutch).

Application
Your application letter with motivation, including a resume and a publication list, can be sent before 1 June to drs. Karijn Heling, FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics, P.O. Box 1207, 3430 BE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands or by e-mail to PenO@rijnhuizen.nl. Please note 'vac. nr. 09-007' in your application.