Open PhD Position in Attosecond Molecular Dynamics (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

PhD position in the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid on “Attosecond molecular dynamics”, supervised by Stefano M. Cavaletto and Fernando Martín (CAMPUS group; IFIMAC-UAM) and funded by an FPI fellowship of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation within the project “Laser-induced ultrafast molecular dynamics in the gas and solid phase” (PID2025-168755NB-C21). The thesis will describe the coupled electron–nuclear dynamics of small and medium-size molecules interacting with short atto- and few-femtosecond pulses from the UV–visible to the X-ray range, exploring novel pump–probe schemes to initiate and monitor these ultrafast dynamics and simulating the associated time-resolved signals to interpret current experiments.

The group develops ab initio theoretical methods for nonadiabatic dynamics in gas-phase molecules induced by ultrashort pulses. Contract of up to four years, starting between 1 November 2026 and 31 July 2027, with salary following Spanish FPI predoctoral standards.

MSc in Physics, Theoretical Chemistry or a related field; excellent knowledge of quantum mechanics and basic knowledge of electrodynamics and atomic, molecular and optical physics; interest in modelling light–matter interaction in molecules (experience in attosecond physics or ultrafast spectroscopy valued); scientific programming (C, C++, Python) valued; good English. Apply by email to both supervisors (addresses on the posting) with cover letter, CV, two references, BSc and MSc certificates and academic records.