Femtosecond Dynamics - Koch Group
We investigate how light interacts with matter. In particular we are interested in ultrafast processes such as nuclear and electronic dynamics, or the transfer of energy and charges, which we study in real time with femtosecond laser pulses. A repertoire of experimental approaches allows us to observe these primary processes in various different systems under diverse environmental conditions: Form isolated molecules in gas phase, over molecular clusters inside superfluid helium nanodroplets, to nanostructured solids.
PhD position: Femtosecond spectroscopy of intermolecular charge transfer processes inside helium nanodroplets
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student in the field of femtosecond spectroscopy. The aim of this fully funded PhD position is to investigate charge transfer processes between molecules embedded inside superfluid helium nanodroplets. The combination of femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and 3D ion momentum imaging shall reveal the dynamics of electrons and nuclei involved. See references below [1-4] for previous work. For further information contact Markus Koch at markus.koch@tugraz.at.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in physical chemistry and experience with femtosecond spectroscopy. Application deadline is 30th of September 2025.
Please apply here
[1] Nat. Commun. 9 (2018), 4006
[2] Phys. Rev. Lett. 125 (2020), 063202
[3] Nat. Commun. 12 (2021), 4204
[4] Communications Chemistry 8, 165 (2025)
2025-09: FWF project Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in a Quantum Solvent starts.
2025-06: Patricia and Tobias both receive the prestigious DOC PhD fellowship from the Austrian Academy of Science. Congratulations!!!
2025-05: Real-time tracking of energy flow in cluster formation Communications Chemistry 8, 165 (2025)
We present a novel approach to follow the formation of chemical bonds in real time.
2024-03: FWF Squaraine project starts. Squaraines are a highly versatile class of organic chromophores and semiconductors and show exceptionally strong intermolecular coupling, resulting in pronounced changes to the optical absorption. We investigate dynamics and higher excitations of these extremely interesting molecular aggregates.
2021-07-09: Nature Communications paper. First demonstration that electrons in liquids can be accelerated with laser pulses. Nat Commun 12, 4204
2020-12-10: Bernhard Thaler receives the Award of Excellence from the Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Research for his PhD Thesis on ultrafast dnamics in He droplets – congratulations Bernhard!
2020-05-01: New Project starts. Femtosecond photochemistry in a quantum solvent, funded by the FWF (P33166), sets out to explore the opportunities and limits of femtosecond specroscopy inside He droplets. - See, He drops can pick up money.
2020-03-20: PRL paper
Long-Lived Nuclear Coherences inside Helium Nanodroplets: Our observation of a nuclear wave packet motion of molecules inside superfluid He nanodroplets is a big step towards ultrafast photochemistry inside these nano-cryo-containers. We discover that the quantum fluid is a great solvent with extremely low influence on the molecule.
Phys Rev Lett 124, 115301 (2020) | full text
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2020-01-10: JPCL paper
Progress in the understanding of energy transfer in a molecule: Through a collaboration with the González group we obtain detailled insight into the population transfer in acetone.
J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 1443 (2020)
press coverage: ChemEurope | Chemie.DE | EurekAlert! | ScienceDaily| PhysOrg | Der Standard | Die Presse