The Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin is one of the oldest and internationally renowned research institutes within the Max Planck Society. More than 400 employees in 5 scientific departments conduct and facilitate top-level research on historic grounds in Berlin-Dahlem.
The Department of Physical Chemistry focusses on the dynamics of elementary processes in solids and at surfaces, in particular, ultrafast dynamics of electronic and lattice excitations, electron-phonon coupling, interfacial molecular structures and charge transfer, surface reactions, as well as light-matter interactions at the micro- to nanoscale.
Within the Department of Physical Chemistry, the nonlinear interfacial spectroscopy and the nonlinear chemical imaging groups currently offer a
Postdoc Position (d/f/m) in the field of spatially resolved nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy.
The two groups focus on the investigation of heterogeneous molecular- and nanoscopic structures at interfaces. Thanks to our recent technological developments, unique experimental tools are now available for these studies which combine phase-resolved vibrational spectroscopic information with spatial resolution on the nanoscale. These tools include depth resolved nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy (J. Phys. Chem. C 2022, 126, 26, 10818–10832) as well as azimuthally scanning PS-SFG microscopy. Using these techniques, molecular assemblies and inorganic heterostructures down to monolayers can be studied and structurally characterized. Ongoing projects are;
(Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 3161)
- Sub-diffraction phonon imaging at 2D VDW materials
Beyond these studies we are constantly extending our technological capabilities through further developments such as super-resolution nonlinear microscopy and multi-modal nonlinear spectroscopy methods.
The offered Postdoc position has a duration of 3 years and is accompanied by an individualized Max-Planck training and mentoring program as well as career planning assistance through the Planck Academy. This specialized program specifically addresses excellent and highly motivated scientists in their early career phase who want to make an important career step by developing their individual research profile. We therefore encourage applicants to propose and develop their own research projects within the group’s capabilities and offer the opportunity to conduct these research projects with a large degree of freedom.
Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry or related fields and have an excellent and broad knowledge in molecular spectroscopy, linear and nonlinear optics. Furthermore, experimental experience in one or more of these areas is highly beneficial:
- Ultrafast spectroscopy
- Vibrational SFG spectroscopy
- Pump-probe spectroscopy
- Optical microscopy
- Super resolution techniques
Moreover, candidates are expected to have
- Collaborative spirit and ability to work in an international research environment
- Affinity for performing complex experiments with a high drive to solve scientific and practical/instrumental challenges.
Your application should include:
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Contact details of at least two academic references
The FHI strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase gender diversity in research and therefore explicitly encourages women and non-binary people to apply.
For more information please contact:
Martin Thämer thaemer@fhi-berlin.mpg.de
Alexander Fellows fellows@fhi-berlin.mpg.de
Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Department of Physical Chemistry, 14195 Berlin