PhD position in Ultrafast Spectroscopy, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany (Deadline: 30.06.2025)

The Petersen Group (Nonlinear Infrared Spectroscopy Group) at the Ruhr University, Bochum is seeking a PhD student to perform heterodyned 2-dimensional sum-frequency generation (2D SFG) spectroscopy of various surfaces to probe interfacial water dynamics as a function of the surface chemistry. This method combines the advantages of two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy and SFG spectroscopy to capture ultrafast spectral diffusion dynamics of molecules with the surface-specificity of SFG. Several different surfaces will be investigated to map out how the surface chemistry influences the ultrafast interfacial water dynamics. The advanced nonlinear spectroscopic method is facilitated by a new 100 kHz Yb-based OPCPA laser system. The position involves a significant amount of experimental development so a strong background in laser spectroscopy, ultrafast spectroscopy, and/or nonlinear optics is preferred. Furthermore, some chemical preparation work will be involved.