Research Associate in Silico Photochemistry Group

The role

A  research position in computational and theoretical photochemistry is available in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, supported by the EPSRC Grant EP/V026690/1, Ultrafast Photochemical Dynamics in Complex Environments.  The project is a collaboration between Prof Andrew Orr-Ewing FRS and Dr Tom Oliver (University of Bristol), Prof Helen Fielding and Prof Graham Worth (UCL), Prof Mark Brouard and Prof Claire Vallance (University of Oxford), Prof Jon Marangos (Imperial College), and Dr Basile Curchod (University of Bristol).

The objectives of the research are: (i) to deepen our understanding of the response of molecular chromophores to absorption of light, and the effects of interactions between the chromophores and their surroundings, on ultrafast timescales; (ii) to apply this new understanding to reveal the fundamental mechanisms of light-activated processes in plant biology and atmospheric chemistry.

Further details of the In Silico Photochemistry Group can be found at www.in-silico-photochem.com

What will you be doing?

The postdoctoral researcher will be based in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol where they will undertake theoretical and computational studies of the mechanisms of photochemical reactions of organic molecules in solution or protein environments on ultrafast timescales. The key techniques to be employed will involve nonadiabatic molecular dynamics in gas phase and complex environment, using methods recently developed by the ISPG group, as well as high-level electronic structure methods. There will also be opportunities to develop new strategies to describe chromophores in complex environment and simulate experimental observables.

You should apply if

The position would best suit a talented and motivated early career researcher with a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry or Physics and experience in theoretical research using nonadiabatic dynamics in complex environment or working towards one.  Some or all of the following skills and experience would be an advantage: experience in theoretical/computational photochemistry, and use of electronic structure methods for studying excited electronic states.; experience in using nonadiabatic molecular dynamics, and strategies to include the effect of an environment in excited-state simulations; experience with coding and scripting for data analysis; ability to communicate complex information clearly and accurately in English, both in written and oral forms; ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/08/2027

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 10/07/2025

For informal queries, please contact: Prof Basile Curchod, basile.curchod@bristol.ac.uk

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