Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance.

Applications are invited for 2 Post-Doctoral Research Associates to join the group of Dr Raj Pandya in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. The positions are each funded for 24 months through funding from UKRI.

The successful candidates will undertake interdisciplinary research at the interface of physical chemistry, spectroscopy and materials science. Projects will broadly focus on developing and applying advanced ultrafast, nonlinear and quantum-enabled measurement approaches to understand complex physicochemical processes, including both light-driven and non-light-driven phenomena. Application areas may include batteries and other energy materials, electrocatalysis, functional molecular and condensed-phase systems, and the development of new experimental tools (including at free-electron lasers) for probing molecular dynamics, fluctuations, and charge or energy transport.

Candidates should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in a relevant specialist field. Strong experimental skills in nonlinear optics and ultrafast spectroscopy are required, together with strong computational skills, including hardware control and programming, instrument automation, data acquisition and analysis. Experience in developing or integrating optical instrumentation would be advantageous.
The researchers will work within a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment spanning chemistry, physics and materials science, with opportunities to develop new experimental methodologies and contribute to a broad range of fundamental and applied research projects

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our University.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Dr Raj Pandya via email on rp558@cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference MA50961 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Closing date

Sep 18th 2026

Reference number

MA50961

Salary

£33,002-£46,049

Further Information

Further information

Athena Swan Silver