Topic: Controlling chirality at extreme timescales
 
Deadline: 31.08.2026 , Starting date expected in the fall.
Description:
Following our recent work on ultrafast chiroptical switching (Nature 630, 109–115 (2024)), the student will have the exciting opportunity to expand this research towards controlling the chiral properties of molecules (including chiral electronic currents, spin currents, enantioselective charge-directed reacticity) at the most extreme timescales (from few-femtoseconds down to attoseconds). 
The student will: 
  • realise spectral and polarisation shaping of broadband and tuneable UV/VUV sources
  • measure time-dependent chiral responses in electronically excited chiral molecules (chiral currents and spin polarisation)
  • control the chiral-optical response of chiral molecules via electronic coherences and use chiral light to establish similar protocols in achiral molecules
  • work in close collaboration with our theory partners to study charge and spin dynamics in chiral molecules

These goals will be pursued in collaboration with internationally renowned partners in ultrafast science and chirality within the Trilogy Network. The PhD project includes and funds two 3-months research stays in partner institutions.

Your profile


Applicants should have:
  • strong interest in chirality, optics, ultrafast lasers and ultrafast phenomena
  • master’s degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, engineering or a related subject
  • solid background in light-matter interactions and laser physics and proven experimental activity in a lab
  • experience in ultrafast science and/or attosecond science 
  • solid English (both written and oral) and general communication skills
  • desire to learn and to do original research in an interdisciplinary team

We offer:

  • Attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Early-Stage Researchers
  • Continuing education opportunities
  • University pensions
  • Attractive location
  • 30 days of vacation per annum
The environment:

Hamburg is a vibrant city in the north of Germany, with a long-standing history of being open to the world and ranked among the top 20 most livable cities worldwide. The Calegari’s group is part of the Center for Free Electron Laser Science (CFEL) located on the DESY campus embedded in a rich research environment. The group is also part of the cluster “AIM: Centre for Ultrafast Imaging” within the national Excellence Initiative for which Calegari is one of the Spokespersons.

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