Postdoctoral Appointee — Ultrafast Molecular Polariton Dynamics

The Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division is seeking a highly qualified and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team in the area of light-matter interactions, with a particular focus on developing a new hybrid light–matter platform that couples transition metal complexes with optical microcavities to achieve optical control over ultrafast spin conversion and charge transfer dynamics.

This position focuses on advancing fundamental understanding of light-matter interactions with direct relevance to energy conversion. The research involves exploring the excited-state dynamics and mechanisms of photoinduced charge transfer and spin state conversion across a wide spectrum of systems, including small transition metal complexes and donor-acceptor systems. By performing state-of-the-art ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopy techniques—such as transient absorption and impulsive vibrational spectroscopy—the role aims to probe polariton-controlled electronic and nuclear dynamics occurring on femtosecond to nanosecond timescales in photoexcited molecules and materials.

The postdoctoral appointee will play a central role in fabricating and characterizing planar Fabry–Pérot optical microcavities incorporating the molecular systems for strong light–matter coupling. The successful candidate will:

• Develop thin-film deposition and cavity fabrication processes, including spin coating, polymer matrix blending, and metal mirror deposition

• Tune and characterize optical resonances to achieve strong light–matter coupling and verify polariton formation

• Collaborate closely with team members performing femtosecond transient absorption and impulsive vibrational spectroscopy to correlate cavity-induced electronic, structural and spin-state changes with photophysical dynamics

Position Requirements

• Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0–5 years) with strong background in physical chemistry, photophysics, photochemistry, and polariton chemistry

• Hands-on experience in thin-film deposition, and spectroscopic characterization

• Hands-on experience in fabricating Fabry–Pérot microcavities or other resonant optical structures

• Experience with thin-film characterization techniques such as ellipsometry or reflectance

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopy (e.g., transient absorption), including laser operation, optical alignment, and data analysis

• Experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry and transition metal complex photophysics

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $70,758.00-$117,925.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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