Job Description

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have significant experience in the design and construction of terahertz-frequency gas spectroscopy systems? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

This project aims to establish the first high-sensitivity terahertz-frequency (THz) laser spectroscopy and photolysis systems, underpinning future studies of gas-phase reaction processes within the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The THz band of the electromagnetic spectrum lies between the infrared and microwave regions. It offers the potential to perform speciated measurements of the pathways for volatile organic compound reactions in the atmosphere, which cannot be achieved using conventional infrared sensing schemes. Until recently, however, THz systems have been too large and complex for use outside specialised laboratories, and their sensitivity and frequency-precision have been too poor for use in reaction studies.

In this project, you will use THz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) developed at the University of Leeds, to realise the first THz gas spectroscopy with the sensitivity and speed required for analysing atmospheric reaction chemistry. THz QCLs are compact, yet high-powered sources of coherent THz radiation, providing thousands of times higher THz intensity than any other solid-state device. You will design and construct a multi-pass THz laser spectroscopy system, incorporating a THz QCL source, a bespoke gas cell and optics, and UV photolysis source. You will undertake measurements of stable and reactive atmospheric species and use these to determine branching ratios for volatile-organic compound chemistry. 

You will be working within an interdisciplinary team of early-career Academics, Research Fellows and Postgraduate Researchers in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and the School of Chemistry.  Holding a strong background in Atmospheric or Physical Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline; you will have a proven track-record in the use of THz QCLs, the development of high-sensitivity THz gas-spectroscopy techniques, including multi-pass gas cell design, together with an enthusiastic and proactive approach to research within an interdisciplinary team.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

What we offer in return

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Alexander Valavanis, Associate Professor

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 3224 or email: A.Valavanis@leeds.ac.uk