Summary
The Ultrafast Spectroscopy and Attosecond Science group at ETH Zurich is offering a fully funded 4-year doctoral position as part of the ERC Advanced Grant project Attochirality. The project focuses on generating and characterizing circularly polarized isolated attosecond pulses and applying them to investigate chirality-sensitive charge migration and transfer using 3D electron-ion coincidence spectroscopy in a reaction microscope.
PhD Scholarship: Circularly Polarized Attosecond Pulses at ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Designation
- Position: Doctoral Student / PhD Candidate
- Employment Type: 100%, Fixed-term (4 years)
Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Host Institution | ETH Zurich (Laboratory of Physical Chemistry) |
| Project Title | Attochirality (ERC Advanced Grant) |
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Primary Supervisor | Prof. Hans Jakob Wörner |
| Application Portal | Online Portal Only |
Research Area
- Ultrafast Spectroscopy & Attosecond Science
- Physical Chemistry / Chemical Dynamics
- Quantum Dynamics & Ultrafast Optics
- Molecular Chirality & Charge Migration
Location
- City/Country: Zurich, Switzerland
Eligibility / Qualification
- Education: Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline (completed by the starting date).
- Skills & Interests:
- Strong interest in experimental molecular science, ultrafast optics, and quantum dynamics.
- Hands-on research experience in at least one key area: femtosecond lasers, nonlinear optics, high-harmonic generation, XUV spectroscopy, electron/ion spectroscopy, molecular beams, vacuum instrumentation, detector systems, or precision optical experiments.
- Experience with scientific programming and quantitative data analysis (preferably Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++, or similar).
- Excellent written and spoken English, along with a careful, independent, and collaborative working style.
- Advantageous (Not Required): Experience with coincidence spectroscopies, reaction microscopes/COLTRIMS, attosecond metrology, CEP stabilization, or charged-particle optics.
Job Description
- Contribute to the implementation and operation of an attosecond beamline based on a CEP-stabilized, few-cycle 100 kHz Yb-fibre laser and high-harmonic generation.
- Generate and characterize circularly polarized attosecond pulse trains and isolated attosecond pulses (temporal structure and complete polarization state).
- Integrate isolated attosecond and single-cycle optical pulses into a reaction microscope for 3D electron-ion coincidence measurements.
- Investigate chirality-sensitive charge migration and transfer in isolated molecules and microhydrated molecular clusters.
- Collaborate closely with laser scientists, engineers, and theoretical research partners.
- Present research findings at international conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to group teaching activities.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official ETH Zurich Online Application Portal. Email or postal applications will not be considered.
Please prepare and upload the following documents (preferably merged into a single PDF):
- Cover Letter: Detailing your motivation and relevant experimental experience.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic Documents: Copies of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates and complete academic transcripts.
- Research Summary: A concise summary of your Master’s thesis or principal research project (maximum 1 page).
- References: Names and contact details of at least 2 referees.
Last Date to Apply
- Application Review Begins: July 13, 2026 (Applications remain open and continue until the position is filled).
- Preferred Start Date: October 01, 2026 (or upon agreement).
