| Timothy Softley | |
| Workplaces: | University of Birmingham University of Oxford Stanford University University of Cambridge |
| Education: | The Hewett School |
| Fields: | Chemical physics |
| Alma Mater: | University of Oxford University of Southampton[1] |
| Thesis Title: | Infrared predissociation spectroscopy of diatomic atoms |
| Thesis Url: | http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.354303 |
| Thesis Year: | 1984 |
| Doctoral Advisor: | Alan Carrington[2] |
| Awards: | Corday Morgan Medal (1994) Royal Society University Research Fellowship Harkness Fellowship |
| Spouses: | )--> |
| Partners: | )--> |
Timothy Peter Softley is a British scientist who is Pro-vice-chancellor (PVC) for research and knowledge transfer at the University of Birmingham.[3]
Softley was educated at The Hewett School in Norwich and Wadham College, Oxford. He moved to the University of Southampton to complete a PhD supervised by Alan Carrington in 1984.[2] [1] From 1986 to 1987 Softley worked as a post doctoral researcher in the group of Richard Zare at the Stanford University.[4]
Softley is distinguished for his advances in two areas of Chemical Physics.[2] First, the study of atoms and molecules in highly excited quantum states, known as Rydberg states.[2] He has used his understanding of their properties, gained from laser spectroscopy and theory, to develop new applications including the study of model charge-transfer processes at solid-gas interfaces.[2] Second, he has pioneered unique experiments utilising combinations of novel physical devices for making cold atoms, molecules and ions, for studying the kinetics and dynamics of chemical processes at ultralow temperatures – close to the absolute zero of temperature – where quantum effects determine the reactivity.[2]
Much of his work was conducted in a twenty five-year period at Merton College, Oxford, where he served as head of the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford from 2011 to 2015.[2] His former doctoral students include Helen H. Fielding.
Softley was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2018 for substantial contribution to the improvement of natural knowledge.[2] He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). He was also awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellow (URF) at the University of Cambridge, held a Harkness Fellowship at Stanford University[2] [1] and was awarded the Corday Morgan Medal in 1994.[2]