PhD position in spectroscopy at the University of Birmingham, UK

A 3.5-year PhD position commencing in October 2026 is available in the School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, in the group of Vas Stavros.

The Stavros group has been applying ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy, to unravel how ultraviolet radiation (UVR) filters found in nature deal with potentially damaging UVR. By tracking the energy flow within these UV-filters following their absorption of UVR, one is able to build molecular movies of energy dissipation in real time and use this insight to understand why these molecules are prolific photoprotectants. For example, with collaborators, we have recently used ‘structure-dynamics-function’ insight to propose new classes of molecules as UV-filters (see Team-Stavros Website for more details). There are many other functionalities that may offer matched (or better) photoprotection which need to be explored using ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy. This forms the main aspect of the proposed PhD program of research.

The full advert can be found on FindaPhD. The position is fully funded (stipend and fees) jointly with a leading skin-care industry and is open to UK candidates.

Enquiries and informal applications should include a C.V. and be addressed as soon as possible to Prof. Vas Stavros (v.stavros@bham.ac.uk).