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Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Ultrafast Spectroscopy

University of Bristol - School of Chemistry

Location: Bristol
Salary: £39,906 to £50,253 Grade I/J, per annum depending on experience
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Placed On: 2nd October 2025
Closes: 30th October 2025
Job Ref: ACAD108306

Salary:

£39,906 - £44,746 (Grade I); or

£43,482 - £50,253 (Grade J) per annum depending on experience 

The role

A postdoctoral research position in experimental ultrafast spectroscopy is available in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, supported by the EPSRC grant UKRI2573, Quantum Coherence and Correlations in Condensed Phase Photochemical Reaction Dynamics. This is part of a joint EPSRC-NSF collaborative project between Dr Tom Oliver (Bristol, UK) and Prof Stephen Bradforth (University of Southern California, USA).

This study will investigate how important light-driven reactions such as photoinduced ligand-ligand charge-transfer [1] & photoionisation [2]- processes critical to photocatalysis, protein damage & drug design - initially generate charge-transfer products composed of spin-correlated ion-radical pairs. As the chemical reaction initially generates two spatially confined ions, their interactions drive time-dependent spin-exchange, creating entanglement within the ion-radical pair. These spin dynamics strongly influence the final product yields, which are remarkably spin-selective.

To probe these effects, new ultrafast multidimensional experimental techniques [3] will be developed to read out the evolving spin states & their entanglement on timescales far shorter than have hitherto been possible from magnetic resonance experiments. The results will reveal how the quantum mechanical state imprinted by light, determine product distributions- shaping photochemical reaction outcomes & potentially enabling the design of novel, high-value synthetic products.

Further details of the Oliver group can be found at: https://oliverresearchgroup.com/

[1] Kellogg et al., J. Phys. Chem. C 128, 6621-6635 (2024)

[2] Kumar et al., J. Phys. Chem. B, 128, 4158-4170 (2024)

[3] Gajo et al., J. Phys. Chem. A.129, 3537-3551 (2025)

What will you be doing?

You will conduct ultrafast laser experiments in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol- the top-ranked Chemistry department in REF2021. You will collaborate closely with Prof Stephen Bradforth and his research group at USC. You will construct new 2D electronic and 2D electronic-vibrational spectroscopy experiments with broadband UV excitation. These spectrometers will be used to investigate entanglement between photogenerated spin-correlated ion-radical pairs in novel photosensiter molecules, aromatic biomolecules and their synthetic derivatives. Data from these new ultrafast experiments will reveal the quantum correlations between photoprepared reactants that determine spin-selective product branching, and thus unravel the mechanisms of protein photodamage and key processes underlying photocatalysis.

You should apply if

The position is suited to an early career researcher with a PhD in Physical Chemistry and experience with ultrafast laser spectroscopy. The following skills and experience are advantageous for the role: use of ultrafast laser amplifiers and optical parametric amplifiers; knowledge of non-linear optics; use of hollow-core fibres; experience of ultrafast multidimensional optical spectroscopy; development of Labview control software; ability to clearly and accurately communicate complex information 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 for 2.5 years

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 30/10/2025

For informal queries, please contact Dr Tom Oliver (tom.oliver@bristol.ac.uk

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.
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