Scientist

AMOLF; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

AMOLF in Amsterdam invites applications for a researcher to study the molecular-scale structure and dynamics of water and polymer networks in hydrogels, using femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy and polarization-resolved techniques. The project seeks to elucidate how microscopic dynamics govern macroscopic viscoelastic behavior.

The successful candidate will work in the Ultrafast Spectroscopy group, employing state-of-the-art nonlinear spectroscopic methods and collaborating across

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Physics or Physical Chemistry.
• Experience with femtosecond lasers and/or nonlinear spectroscopy is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Investigate molecular-scale structure and dynamics of water and polymer networks in hydrogels using advanced spectroscopy.
• Apply femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy and polarization-resolved techniques.
• Link microscopic dynamics to macroscopic viscoelastic properties of hydrogels.

Skills

Femtosecond spectroscopy

Nonlinear spectroscopy

Education

Master's degree in Physics or Physical Chemistry

Tools

Femtosecond lasers

GHz-THz dielectric spectroscopy

Job description

Omschrijving functie

Job offer AcademicTransfer - JOB - Netherlands - Posted on: 11 August 2026 11 Aug 2026 AMOLF Research Field Chemistry » Molecular chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Physics » Optics Physics » Statistical physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 6 Feb 2027 - 13:50 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description In this project you will study the molecular-scale structure and dynamics of water and polymer networks of biological and supramolecular hydrogels, using femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy and polarization-resolved femtosecond infrared spectroscopy. The obtained information will clarify how the macroscopic viscoelastic and responsive properties of hydrogels are determined by the structure and dynamics of the polymer network and the water molecules of the hydrogel. Qualifications A Masters degree in Physics or Physical Chemistry. Experience with femtosecond lasers and/or nonlinear spectroscopy is a bonus. Work environment The group Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Prof. dr. Huib J. Bakker studies the molecular-scale structural dynamics of complex liquids like water and aqueous solutions, and solids (e.g. ice and metal-organic-frameworks). This research is carried out with advanced (nonlinear) spectroscopic techniques including femtosecond two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, vibrational surface sum-frequency generation, and GHz-THz dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. http://www.amolf.nl/research/ultrafast-spectroscopy/ AMOLF is one of the research institutes of NWO-I, and initiates and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, with the goal to create new functional materia...