NRL Femtosecond Studies of Molecular Dynamics
This program uses ultrafast laser spectroscopy to study the dynamics of molecules and materials, including energy transfer, photochemistry, and carrier dynamics.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Next deadline)
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $99,200 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; relocation assistance available. Typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Fellowship supporting postdoctoral research using ultrafast laser spectroscopy to study molecular and material dynamics at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within 5 years; applicants must contact Research Adviser prior to applying.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on advanced chemical physics research using steady-state and ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. The program aims to characterize and understand the optical properties and dynamic processes of molecules and materials. Research involves a broad spectral range from ultraviolet (UV) to mid-infrared (IR), employing femtosecond laser spectroscopy (~100 fs pulses) and nonlinear optical methods to investigate temporal, spectral, and structural evolution in phenomena such as molecular energy transfer, photochemistry, transient heating and cooling, and carrier dynamics.
Recent research themes include:
- Ultrafast dynamics of plasmonic, semiconductor, and thin film materials
- Characterization of nanostructures, including surface phonon polariton resonances in polar dielectrics
- Spectra and dynamics of cavity-coupled molecular vibrations
Experimental facilities available to awardees include microspectrophotometers for UV to mid-IR transmission and reflection, vibrational circular dichroism spectrometers, a 2 mJ, 1 kHz regeneratively-amplified titanium sapphire laser system with two optical parametric amplifiers, a high repetition rate regenerative amplifier system, nanosecond and multiple wavelength continuous wave lasers for extended time range measurements, bench spectrometers, and nanomaterial fabrication instrumentation.
This program is ideal for researchers interested in molecular dynamics, ultrafast laser spectroscopy, chemical physics, nanomaterials, and related fields.
