Jobs

Currently Open Positions

Postdoc position in attosecond quantum optics (April 2024)

We are seeking a motivated postdoc to expand our efforts at the intersection of attosecond science and quantum optics. Current efforts aim at understanding how quantum light perturbs and controls high-harmonic emission from solids and gases, how correlations between different optical modes and the accelerated electrons and holes arise during the interaction, and how to transfer quantum-optical properties to the high harmonics for quantum-enhanced sensing and spectroscopy at such short wavelengths.

These efforts build upon our recent work (https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.05474), where we generated a broad comb of photon bunched sidebands (with super-Poissonian statistics). Our results indicate that strong-field excitation, acceleration and recombination of electron-hole pairs provide a sub-cycle, attosecond gate to measure and control quantum-optical states, which can be harnessed to further our understanding of time-resolved quantum electrodynamics.

The project leverages the extensive expertise of the NRC and the University of Ottawa in quantum optics, though the fellows of the Joint Center for Extreme Photonics, as well as world-class theory support from Prof. Brabec (uOttawa) and other external collaborators. The JASLab employs other students and postdoc working on high-field interactions in nanostructured solids and quantum materials, so you can expect a highly collaborative and stimulating environment.

If you are interested, or for additional information, please email Giulio Vampa (gvampa@uottawa.ca).

Previously Open Positions

PhD student position in ultrafast imaging of molecular processes (June 2023)

Our team is studying the ultrafast dynamics of individual molecules in the gas phase. The molecular dynamics is imaged using an ultrafast camera (called COLTRIMS or reaction microscope) which allows to measure the 3-dimensional momentum of single electrons and their parent ions. To trigger and interrogate such dynamics, we use intense femtosecond laser pulses.

We are looking for a highly motivated and talented PhD student with a strong background in physics, chemistry, or a related field to join our research team to shoot molecular movies of small and not-so-small molecules using this camera.

As a PhD student in our lab, you will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in Ottawa and at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) close to Montreal.

You will be a student at the University of Ottawa, jointly supervised by Dr. André Staudte and Dr. Heide Ibrahim, and your lab work will be located in the Joint Attosecond Science Laboratory (JASLab), at the NRC building on 100 Sussex Drive, in Ottawa, which is a 20 min walk from the University Campus. During experimental campaigns, you will be working at the Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) at INRS.

The JASLab consists of three professors, three technical staff, and about 10 postdocs and 10 graduate students. Your work will be in a collaborative environment with a small subgroup of a postdoc and at least one other student. ALLS is a laser user facility with a variety of high power, high repetition rate laser sources and a motivated technical team to support your experiments. ALLS is located close to the vibrant city of Montreal with a rich cultural and scientific community, providing an excellent quality of life both inside and outside the lab.

You will not need to work as a teaching assistant and you can expect to travel to conferences to present your research results to the community.

You will be trained in ultrahigh vacuum techniques, GHz signal processing, C++, Python, femtosecond lasers, ultrafast optics, and atomic and molecular physics.

The position is open immediately, but the start can be postponed until September 2023.

If you are interested in this challenge please send your CV and a short letter of motivation to andre.staudte@uottawa.ca and heide.ibrahim@inrs.ca . We will start the application assessment June 1st 2023; the position remains open until filled.

Attosecond Science at uOttawa and NRC