Research Assistant (m/f/d) - experimental physics

The research conducted within the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group “ultrafast molecular physics” focuses on investigating ultrafast processes in molecules induced by intense laser pulses. The successful candidate will work with state-of-the-art femtosecond laser systems and use them to investigate strong-field effects, in particular high-harmonic generation in organic molecular crystals.

High-harmonic generation is employed as a powerful spectroscopic technique to investigate ultrafast electron dynamics in matter. These dynamics occur on timescales shorter than a single oscillation period of the applied light field. To this end, intense light pulses with electric field strengths of approximately 1 volt per ångström and wavelengths in the range of 4 micrometers are used. The strong light field controls the motion of electrons in matter. When the electrons subsequently scatter, high-energy photons are emitted whose properties provide information about the material, electron dynamics, and electronic structure.

High-harmonic generation has so far been studied primarily in isolated quantum systems and in solids. In our research, we extend this technique to organic molecular crystals, which have significant potential for applications in organic electronics, for example in solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and organic transistors. In molecular crystals, the interaction between neighboring molecules plays a central role. These intermolecular interactions enable particularly long electron trajectories and consequently lead to the generation of intense, high-energy harmonics.

Together with our collaborators, we recently demonstrated that intermolecular interactions are crucial for high-harmonic generation in organic molecular crystals (Nat. Commun. 16, 9890 (2025)). The aim of the advertised position is to resolve these processes using even shorter laser pulses and thereby experimentally investigate electron dynamics on timescales comparable to the optical oscillation period of the light field.

The successful candidate will acquire extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in the fields of nonlinear optics, molecular physics, strong-field physics, and attosecond physics. In addition, the position offers access to state-of-the-art laboratories and laser systems, as well as the opportunity to work closely with experienced scientists, PhD students, and undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment characterized by an open, collegial, and supportive group atmosphere.