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The objective of the proposed research is to understand and
utilize the interactions between metallic nanoparticles and
adjacent molecular systems when either is in a "dark"
electronic state. In molecules, these dark states, such as the
triplet state, can be harnessed to control the reactivity and
photostability of chemical substances. For nanoparticles,
dark modes—higher-order modes that are optically invisible
when the nanoparticles are much smaller than the
wavelength of light—play a crucial role in determining the
local electromagnetic field distribution and its dynamics.
These fields can profoundly impact nearby molecules'
spectroscopy, photophysics, and photochemistry. Both types
of dark states are challenging to detect optically but are of
significant importance in the fields of photochemistry and
nanophotonics. Therefore, there is a growing demand for
simple, cost-effective methods to detect and characterize
these states. In this project, we propose a novel
methodology for detecting and spectroscopically visualizing
dark states in both chemical molecules and nanoparticles.
This approach relies on measurements of Raman scattering
and luminescence excitation profiles.
The development and application of this methodology will
enable us to study how metallic nanoparticles influence the
electronic states of adjacent molecules and how the

excitation of these "dark" modes can be leveraged to control
chemical reactivity and processes.

Student would be involved with nanostructures synthesis
and functionalisation, their spectroscopic and SEM
characterisation, as well as quantum-chemical simulations
and measurements of spectroscopic properties of
chemicals.

We offer a scholarship position in the Institute of Physical
Chemistry PAS with a monthly stipend of 2.000,00 PLN
financed from the NCN Sonata BIS 13 Project No.
2023/50/E/ST4/00600 entitled “How to see the invisible?

Dark plasmonic modes and dark electronic molecular states
visualisation with Raman and luminescence excitation
spectroscopy”.
The offer is for 8 months (with a possible extension)

The successful candidate will benefit in the form of new
knowledge and methods added to his/her toolbox. The
project deals with spectroscopy, nanophotonics,
nanotechnology, physics, material sciences, and physical
chemistry, so any candidate profile will find some new
knowledge to be gained upon the realisation of the project.
The successful candidate will be eligible for all programs at
the IPC PAS, including the IPC PAS Young Scientists
competition and the IPC PAS Young Scientists Mobility
competition.
Institute provides an opportunity to participate in
ERASMUS+ programme.

• Knowledge of spectroscopy and photophysics.
Experience and knowledge in the field of plasmonics or
nanophotonics would be beneficial.
• Not PhD holder.
• Status of a student in physics, chemistry, or similar.

The recruitment committee shall evaluate the candidates’
research achievements, their research achievements and
competencies as regards specific tasks in the research
project, expressed as a point score:
▪ the candidate’s research achievements, including
publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50%
of the final score)
▪ research achievements, scholarships, awards and research
experience gained in Poland or abroad, research
workshops and training courses, participation in research
projects (20% of the final score)
▪ the candidate’s competences to carry out specific tasks in
the research project (30% of the final score)