One PhD opening is immediately available for outstanding candidates to work on the combination of theory and experiments of time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy.

Ultrashort laser pulses in x-ray regime, provided by free electron laser allow for resolving the coupled nuclear and electronic dynamics in photochemical processes. Ultrafast hard x-ray sources make time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy experiments possible, paving the way to capture the electronic and structural dynamics of solids, for example in photo-electro-catalytic systems.

As the PhD candidate, you will conduct x-ray free electron laser experiments on transition metal oxides in relation to photocatalysis and photoanodes, with the goal to study changes in the electronic structure of the photoanodes with femtosecond x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS). In addition, you will perform electronic structure calculations based on calculations for the excited state and x-ray spectroscopy experiments.

The training involves theoretical and experimental time-resolved x-ray methods and the project is embedded in a Marie Skłodowska-Curie training network (SMART-X), including academic and non-academic partners engaged in both theoretical and experimental activities. The position requires 4 secondments with a total duration of at least 6 months in partner institutions within the network (outside the Netherlands).

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a Master's degree in chemistry of physics and who:

• is excited about working on a theory/experiment project that combines state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations, quantum mechanics and x-ray spectroscopy; 
• has prior training in theoretical chemistry/physics, or x-ray spectroscopy (considered a plus);
• has excellent communication skills in English, both in speech and in writing.

• a full-time position for 4 years;
• a full-time gross salary that starts at €2,395 and increases to €3,061 per month in the fourth year (scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (cao));
• benefits including 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions laid down in the cao for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. For example, there are agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment yourself via the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we like to encourage you to continue to grow.

More information about working at the Faculty of Science can be found here.

The research in the group of Professor Frank de Groot is part of the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group within the Debye Institute of Nanomaterials Science. The research is focused on a combination of theoretical and experimental aspects of x-ray spectroscopy, including both fundamental studies and applications. His current interest is the use of x-ray spectroscopies for the study of the electronic and magnetic structure of condensed matter and heterogeneous catalysts under working conditions.

At the Faculty of Science there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes which work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects.

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our familiar atmosphere and the can-do attitude of our people. This fundamental connection attracts Researchers, Professors and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the university and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.