HFML-FELIX at Radboud University in Nijmegen (Netherlands) is looking for a PhD candidate to work on the project 'Carbocations in organic and astrochemistry: investigation by IR ion spectroscopy' funded by the Max Planck - Radboud University Center for Infrared Free-Electron Laser Spectroscopy.

In many organic chemical reactions, carbocationic species have been invoked as intermediates, but they are also often encountered in the gas phase, for instance in mass spectrometric analyses or as constituents of the interstellar medium. The molecular structure of carbocations and whether the charge is localised or delocalised, is strongly influenced by the medium, condensed or gaseous. You will investigate the molecular structure of carbocations in the isolation of the gas phase and compare this to what is known or postulated in organic chemistry. To establish ion structures, you will apply a combination of infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, as well quantum-chemical calculations.

Throughout the project, you will collaborate closely with a PhD student from Prof. G. von Helden's group at the Fritz-Haber-Institut in Berlin, who is working on parallel projects using similar, but not the same, experimental methodologies.

As part of your PhD training, you will perform duties as a teaching assistant in our Physics and Astronomy educational programme, supervising BSc and MSc students within the context of your project.

• Master's degree in physical/organic chemistry, physics, or a closely related field.
• Expertise and experience in experimental research.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following fields: physical/organic chemistry, mass spectrometry, molecular physics, infrared spectroscopy, or laboratory astrophysics.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• In general, enthusiasm for experimental research and collaboration with researchers from abroad.

Fixed-term contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).

• Employment: 0.8 (5 year contract) -1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,434 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,111 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P). 
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• Your education task may be up to 10% of your appointment.
• The intended start date is 1 November 2021.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The recently founded Max Planck - Radboud University Center for Infrared Free Electron Laser Spectroscopy is offering joint projects for talented PhD candidates at the Fritz-Haber-Institut (Berlin) of the Max-Planck Society and HFML-FELIX at Radboud University (Nijmegen). Expanding the application portfolio of advanced IR light sources is an important goal of the Center, which will be achieved by the development of novel advanced measurement schemes. The intensive exchange between the two partners will generate novel ideas, projects and insights. Accelerating the synergies, the Max Planck - Radboud University Center will define the state of the art in infrared free electron laser spectroscopy and train PhDs to become familiar with the tools of tomorrow.

The offered position is at HFML-FELIX, Radboud University. HFML-FELIX is a large-scale research infrastructure and its in-house research programmes are centred on chemistry and physics, fostering interdisciplinary research. The mission of HFML-FELIX is to develop and use the world's highest magnetic fields and intense infrared and terahertz radiation for pioneering scientific research to be carried out by both external and in-house user groups. HFML-FELIX is run jointly by Radboud University (RU) and the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I). Its research programme is embedded in RU's Faculty of Science and is executed in close collaboration with the faculty's Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM).