The Faculty of Science Leiden and Leiden Institute of Chemistry are looking for a PhD candidate in experimental ultrafast spectroscopy.

Metal-halide perovskites (MHP) are optically active materials, which hold great promise as light-absorber (e.g. in photovoltaic devices and photodetectors) and as light-emitter (e.g. in LEDs). The material is both ionic and soft, meaning that electrons strongly 'talk' to the vibrations in the lattice. These lattice vibrations have frequencies in the 0-5 THz range and are thus thermally active at room temperature, meaning that the material is in a constant state of vibrational motion, which acts a source of dynamic disorder. This disorder is poorly understood, and can localize electrons on short length- and time scales.

Within this project, we aim to understand the motion of photoexcited electrons in MHPs within the framework of dynamic disorder. To this end, you will construct and use an optical-pump/broadband-THz probe spectrometer, with which we can probe the frequency-resolved photoconductivity on timescales spanning picoseconds to nanoseconds. You will work in a recently founded group which focuses on both advanced (nano)materials development and ultrafast spectroscopy.

Qualifications 

•  A Master's degree in Chemistry, Physics, or a related discipline.
•  A strong interest in ultrafast spectroscopy, solid-state chemistry/physics.
• Excellent proficiency in English, both verbally and written.
• A hands-on mentality, not afraid to tackle complex experimental setups and challenges.