PhD Scholarship: Laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry of metal and carbon hybrid clusters

Offer Description

QSP is hiring a doctoral student to strengthen the cluster research team of prof. Ewald Janssens and prof. Peter Lievens. We wish to reinforce the activities on studies of optical properties, magnetism, and chemical reactivity of hybrid clusters. Ongoing projects include the interaction of hydrogen with gas phase carbon‑metal clusters and carbon dioxide reduction using fullerene‑transition metal hybrids as catalysts. An additional topic on cluster magnetism involves a systematic investigation of how magnetism of rare earth metal clusters is influenced by doping them with a few atoms of 3d transition metals.

PhD students are also expected to take up teaching assistant tasks. The experimental work involves the study of clusters in molecular beams using mass spectrometry, infrared and visible light spectroscopy using OPO/OPA tunable lasers, in‑beam reactivity studies, and Stern–Gerlach magnetic deflection experiments. The setups at KU Leuven are equipped with laser ablation sources to produce metal‑doped carbon clusters, fullerenes with transition metals, and nanoalloys of transition metal and rare earth elements.

Far‑infrared spectroscopy experiments will be performed at the free electron laser facility FELIX in The Netherlands.

You are a motivated experimental scientist with a master’s degree in physics, chemistry or a closely related subject, preferentially with knowledge in cluster science, nanoscience, and/or laser spectroscopy. The experimental work would benefit from experience with high‑vacuum technology, molecular beams, (infrared) lasers, cluster sources, and/or mass spectrometry. You work in a structured, transparent and accurate way. You are a team player and actively share experience and knowledge with colleagues and collaborators.

Your networking skills, creativity, persistence and passion for what you do are highly valued. We are expecting good communication skills in English, as you will work in a diverse team and in international collaborations.

We offer a 4‑year PhD scholarship to join a dynamic team of scientists. You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and multicultural city located in the heart of Europe, within 20 minutes from Brussels.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Peter Lievens, mail:  or Prof. dr. Ewald Janssens, mail:

You are a motivated experimental scientist with a master’s degree in physics, chemistry or a closely related subject, preferentially with knowledge in cluster science, nanoscience, and/or laser spectroscopy. The experimental work would benefit from experience with high‑vacuum technology, molecular beams, (infrared) lasers, cluster sources, and/or mass spectrometry. You work in a structured, transparent and accurate way. You are a team player and actively share experience and knowledge with colleagues and collaborators.

Your networking skills, creativity, persistence and passion for what you do are highly valued. We are expecting good communication skills in English, as you will work in a diverse team and in international collaborations.