Molecular Photonics Sydney is a collaborative research group incorporating experiments, theory and modelling. The group leaders are based at UNSW Sydney and the University of Sydney, with collaborators across the country and around the world. The fundamental concept that holds the group together is what happens to molecules when they absorb light. Within this, we explore research projects such as photovoltaics, atmospheric chemistry and astrophysics. In doing so we invent new techniques, develop new theory and test and improve models. There are currently openings for PhD and Honours students in all research areas.
We have fully-funded PhD scholarships opportunities available.
Recent Publications
- Wu et al. Velocity Map Imaging Studies of the Ultraviolet Photodissociation of Methyl Chloride.
- Levey et al. Unraveling the Spectroscopy of the Phenalenyl Radical.
- Perez-Peña et al. Reply to the ‘Comment on “Assessing the atmospheric fate of trifluoroacetaldehyde (CF3CHO) and its potential as a new source of fluoroform (HFC-23) using the AtChem2 box model”’ by O. J. Nielsen, M. P. Sulbaek Andersen and J. Franklin, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2025, 5, DOI: 10.1039/D4EA00123K.
- Thomson et al. Fluoroform (CHF3 ) Production from CF3 CHO Photolysis and Implications for the Decomposition of Hydrofluoroolefins and Hydrochlorofluoroolefins in the Atmosphere.
- Kharazmi et al. The Effect of β‑Hydrogens on the Tropospheric Photochemistry of Aldehydes: Norrish Type 1, Triple Fragmentation, and Methylketene Formation from Propanal.
- Welsh et al. Photophysical oxidation of HCHO produces HO2 radicals.
News
- In August, Beth Killen presented a talk at The 3rd GEOS-Chem Europe Meeting (GCE3) in London, United Kingdom.
- Joshua Thomson presented a poster at The 37th International Symposium on Free Radicals in Snowbird, UT, United States. Prof. Meredith Jordan also presented a poster, and Prof. Scott Kable was on the International Advisory Committee.
- Stephanie McGoldrick has been accepted for a fully-funded PhD in the Molecular Photonics Sydney group, starting T3 2025 at UNSW Sydney.
- Matthew Taylor co-chaired 2025 RACI Physical Chemistry Division Workshop, with group members Beth Killen, Stephanie McGoldrick, Jay Mendham and Joshua Thomson presenting. Chief Investigators Prof. Scott Kable and Dr Chris Hansen, as well as post-doc Dr Ben Laws, presented posters.
- Jay Mendham received the Rao Prize at The 78th International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy (ISMS) in Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States for top graduate student presentation at the 77th ISMS in 2024. He has also been awarded the 2025 Paddon-Row Scholarship by UNSW Sydney.