Tomorrow's leading researchers in ultrafast science and technology
Launched in 2010 by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology (MUST) brings together 18 Swiss research groups working in ultrafast science. Such a discipline is fundamental in nature and relates strongly to several major societal challenges, all of which require a complete understanding of the structural and dynamic behaviour of matter. To boost MUST's research efforts, the EU-funded IFP-MUST (International fellowship program on Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology) project set up an international fellowship programme. Overall, the aim was to assist in the development of state-of-the-art visualisation techniques that are necessary to confront challenges such as developing alternative sources of energy, synthesising complex drugs and designing post-Moore's law electronics. The project strengthened the training and career development of 13 postdoctoral researchers, many of whom secured permanent academic positions. The mobility scheme also helped to reintegrate European researchers working abroad. The fellows carried out high-level research projects in ultrafast spectroscopy, leading to 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Researchers also acquired soft skills such as scientific writing and negotiation. In addition, they were given the opportunity to attend relevant international scientific conferences. IFP-MUST supplied Europe with a new generation of researchers in ultrafast sciences, helping to enhance the research excellence of the European Research Area (ERA) in the process. Thanks to the project, European scientists can take the lead in developing innovative methods and equipment and then exploiting them to unravel nature's secrets.
Keywords
Ultrafast science, Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology, international fellowship, ultrafast spectroscopy
