Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, Molecular Quantum Physics with Sync

at  Universitt Kassel

The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 22.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.
The Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physics – Molecular Quantum Physics with Synchrotron Radiation (Prof. Dr. Marcel Mudrich), the following position is available as of 01.04.2025:
Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, party-time (currentyl 20 hours per week)
Application deadline:
19.02.2025
Date of hire:
01.04.2025
vacancy number:

38097
Part-time position with half the working hours of a full-time employee. The position is initially limited to 3 years with the possibility of an extension of another 2 years (qualification position according to § 72 HessHG in conjunction with § 2 para. 1 clause 1 WissZeitVG). The opportunity for a doctorate is given.

In this field we addresses the following fundamental questions by carrying out experiments using lasers and synchrotron radiation:

• What are the fundamental interaction processes of matter with ionizing radiation when we vary the state of matter from atoms to molecules to nanometer-sized clusters and droplets?
• How / what can we learn from detecting the products of light-matter interactions? What can we learn from measuring spectra and dynamic processes in molecules and nanoclusters?
• Can we use this knowledge to exploit the naturally occurring light-matter interaction for technological or medical developments?

The aim of this project is to investigate in detail the photoionization of water and biomolecules dissolved in water. The interaction of ionizing radiation with matter triggers complex relaxation dynamics, in particular various intra- and inter-molecular processes such as molecular fragmentation, proton transfer and energy transfer from one molecule to another. A focus of this project is on multiple ionization, in which one photon triggers the emission of two or more electrons. Many of these processes are not yet well understood, although they play an important role in living tissue when exposed to UV and ionizing radiation. These processes are investigated using synchrotron radiation and electron imaging spectroscopy on biologically relevant molecular clusters, nanoparticles and liquid jets.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Completed university degree in physics or chemistry. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest
• A high level of organizational and teamwork skills

THE FOLLOWING SKILLS ARE ADVANTAGEOUS:

• Good knowledge of atomic and molecular physics
• Experience in using vacuum equipment, photoelectron spectrometers, synchrotron radiation, data analysis
• Good programming skills, particularly in Python
  If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Marcel Mudrich, Tel.: +4522371120.
  In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.

• Scientific collaboration in research and teaching in the field of cluster dynamics
• Independent work on a research sub-area in the photoelectron spectroscopy of cluster, nanoparticle and liquid beams
• Experimental investigations of photoionization processes in molecules, nanoparticles and liquid jets using electron spectroscopy in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray range
• Shared use and further development of an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer on site at the University of Kassel
• Participation in measurement campaigns at major international research facilities in Germany and Europe (ASTRID2 in Aarhus, SOLEIL bei Paris, MAX-IV in Lund)
• Data evaluation, interpretation, modeling and writing scientific publications
• Participation in the maintenance and development of the department’s infrastructure
• Participation in the department’s teaching obligations
• Participation in the external representation of the department and the communication of our research to the public