Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will integrate the Atoms, Molecules and Clusters (AMA) team of CIMAP laboratory - Centre de recherche sur les ions, les matériaux et la photonique (Caen, France). She/he will be involved in the ANR FRAPA project (Formation and Reactivity of carbonaceous Aerosols in Planetary Atmospheres). The aim of the project is to study particle growth and destruction mechanisms induced by ions colliding with loosely bound carbonaceous molecular clusters (PAH, small hydrocarbon molecules). This requires the development of a novel pump-probe experimental set-up which allows to prepare complex targets and to clearly identify the final reaction products by tandem mass spectrometry (with two ionizing beams: ions as a pump and photons as a probe) based on an electrostatic trap. The aim is to obtain detailed information (size, structure, stability-lifetime of selected species) of the ion-induced reaction products.
Her/his mission will be develop a novel experimental set-up based on an electrostatic trap which will be coupled with an Eve –Lavie valve (to produce molecular clusters) and ion/photon beams. She/he will participate in investigation of ion-induced reactivity within molecular clusters.

Activités

She/he will take part of the design, construction and testing of an electrostatic trap which will coupled with different cluster sources and ion (ECR, Ar gun)/photon beam beams. She/he will conduct collaborative work with the associated team from the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel). He/she will also be engaged in the supervision of the undergraduate and PhD students involved in the project. He/she will be implied in the analyses of the data collected during the project and preparation of the articles, reports and publications.

Compétences

Required background for postdoctoral positions: PhD in Physics/Chemistry with extensive hands-on experience of mass spectrometry. She/he should have knowledge in ultra-high vacuum systems, production of molecular beams and ion optic simulations. The previous experience with coupling of an ion trap and a laser beam, using an Even-Lavie valve and skills on developing of data processing software will be highly appreciated.
He/she should have strong aptitude in working in a team and within collaborative and multi-disciplinary projects, and present ability to work independently. He/she should speak and write fluently English.

Contexte de travail

This post-doctoral work is founded by the French ANR agency and will take place in a deeply collaborative background involving other research teams in France, Spain and Israel. The candidate will be affiliated in CNRS-CIMAP laboratory in Caen, France.
The CIMAP laboratory is a multidisciplinary research laboratory where scientific areas span from ion-matter interaction to materials for lasers, photonics and electronics. The proposed project is related to the research activity of the AMA team which is specialized in studies of relaxation mechanisms of excited molecular systems in the gas phase under ion bombardment (stability, dissociation of molecules and clusters, etc). CIMAP is situated in the proximity of different ion beam lines of GANIL – a unique tool to study ion interactions with matter. Experimental set-ups developed at CIMAP can be used at all available beam energies. Moreover, CIMAP is a user facility which means that local scientists assist external researchers in using the irradiation facilities of GANIL for studies in atomic and molecular collisions, material science, etc.
Caen is a pleasant city (about 100 thousand inhabitants; its urban area has 420 thousand inhabitants in Normandy. It is located about 250 km west of Paris. It can be reached by car, train or plane; mostly passing through Paris. In addition, connections with England are available via ferry.

Contraintes et risques

Short periods of travel within France and abroad can be expected.

Informations complémentaires

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