Probing the Dynamics of Atmospherically Relevant Gas-Liquid Surface Reactions using Velocity-Map Imaging

This PhD opportunity will be in the Molecular Scattering research group at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

You will study atmospherically relevant chemical reactions at the gas-liquid interface in unprecedented detail, using high-resolution laser-based techniques coupled with velocity-map imaging (VMI) methods. This imaging technique allows us to take ‘pictures’ of the fate of products of a chemical reaction, which will enable us to develop an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms involved with reactants such as Cl radicals. In combination with computational techniques, you will be able to unravel the intricate multichannel dynamics that occur at atmospherically relevant gas-liquid interfaces with unprecedented resolution. Such reactions of radicals with liquid surfaces are very important in the oxidative aging of atmospheric aerosols

This work is part of a large collaboration funded through a major joint EPSRC Programme Grant (https://molecularscattering.com/) with University of Oxford, involving regular interactions and the opportunity for exchange visits.

This project is predominantly experimental giving you the opportunity for training and development in the use of: laser systems, vacuum chambers, imaging detectors, data acquisition & analysis, and project management.  In addition to practical lab skills there will also be the opportunity to participate in complimentary computational studies using molecular dynamics simulations.

Please contact Dr Stuart Greaves (s.j.greaves@hw.ac.uk) for further details