Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position in experimental ultrafast spectroscopy in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol in the research group of Dr Tom Oliver. The position is supported by the EPSRC grant UKRI2573, Quantum Coherence and Correlations in Condensed Phase Photochemical Reaction Dynamics. This is part of a joint EPSRC-NSF collaborative project between Dr Tom Oliver and Prof Stephen Bradforth (University of Southern California, USA), under a new joint EPSRC-NSF initiative on Quantum Information Science in Chemistry.
The project will investigate how important light-driven reactions such as photoinduced ligand-ligand charge-transfer [1] and photoionisation reactions [2]- critical to photocatalysis, protein damage and drug design- initially form charge-transfer products composed of spin-correlated ion-radical pairs. As these chemical reactions initially generate two ions in a spatially confined manner, this drives time-dependent spin-exchange, generating entanglement within the ion-radical pair. The spin interactions direct the long-term final product yields, which are remarkably spin-selective.
To probe these effects, new ultrafast multidimensional experimental techniques [3] will be developed to read out the evolving spin states and their entanglement on timescales far shorter than have hitherto been possible from magnetic resonance experiments. The results will reveal how the quantum mechanical state imprinted by light, determines product distributions- shaping photochemical reaction outcomes and potentially enabling the design of novel, high-value synthetic products, unravel the mechanisms of protein photodamage, key processes underlying photocatalysis.
The postdoctoral research associate will conduct ultrafast experiments at Bristol, focusing on the following objectives: (i) establish a new spectrometer with phase-locked broadband UV pulse pairs, enabling multidimensional optical spectroscopic studies with mid-IR and UV/visible probes, UV-2D electronic spectroscopy (2DES) and UV-2D electronic-vibrational (2DEV) spectroscopy, respectively. (ii) Use these new spectrometers to investigate entanglement between photogenerated spin-correlated ion-radical pairs in novel photosensitiser molecules, aromatic biomolecules and their synthetic derivatives. (iii) Utilise established transient absorption and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy experiments, spanning 100 femtoseconds to 1 millisecond, to correlate long-time product yields with early-time coherent dynamics. As part of this collaborative grant, there will be opportunities to travel to Bradforth’s laboratory in California to facilitate knowledge exchange.
Applications are strongly encouraged from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds, particularly those historically underrepresented in scientific research. The School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and holds an Athena Swan Silver Award. We offer a supportive and collegial environment, with strong mentorship and a vibrant, inclusive working environment for all staff.
The advertised position is available for up to 2.5 years, and the deadline for applications is 30th October 2025.
Full details of the position and application process are available here.
Details of the Oliver group can be found at: https://oliverresearchgroup.com/, and more information about the wider laser group at Bristol can be found at https://bristoldynamics.com/.
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to tom.oliver@bristol.ac.uk.
[1] Kellogg et al., J. Phys. Chem. C, 128, 6621-6635 (2024)
[2] Kumar et al., J. Phys. Chem. B, 128, 4158-4170 (2024)
[3] Gajo et al., J. Phys. Chem. A., 129, 3537-3551 (2025)
GEFAM 