ERC-funded postdoc position on the detection of gas-phase organic radicals, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden

KTH is the largest institution for technical education and research in Sweden and an international leading technical university. Our education and research covers a wide range of fields, focusing on the development of sustainable solutions to our time's greatest challenges. The university currently offers nearly 100 educational programs, attracting around 17,000 students globally.

Organic radicals are key reaction intermediates in many chemical systems, such as the biochemistry of living organisms, organic synthesis and polymerisation, combustion systems, and the natural environment. But their detection is challenging, especially at the individual level, i.e. distinguishing between radicals with different organic structures. The European Research Council (ERC) Advanced project EPHEMERAL, directed by Prof. Barbara Noziere at KTH, Sweden, focuses on the detection of individual organic radicals in the gas, in particular in ambient air, using real-time mass spectrometry (MS), such as Proton Transfer Mass Spectrometry (Ptr-MS).

We are looking for a highly-motivated candidate for a post-doc position on the real-time detection of gas-phase organic radicals in laboratory mixtures and ambient air using chemical Ionization mass spectrometry. The position will involve some development and characterization (calibration …) of the instruments, performing experiments in gas-phase reactors in laboratory as well as measurements in the real atmosphere, and taking part in the deployment of the instrument in field campaigns. This position will be in the group of Prof. Nozière at the Department of Chemistry of KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.

The successful candidate will have

- a PhD or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Physics, or appropriate field, for not more than 3 years

- some experience with gas-phase flow systems and reactors, and/or

- some knowledge of atmospheric chemistry or gas-phase kinetics, and/or

- some background in chemical ionization mass spectrometry, preferably Proton Transfer Mass Spectrometry (Ptr-MS), Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry, chemical ionization, or related fields.

- excellent written and oral communication skills in English

- strong problem-solving skills