Dr James Pickering

I am a graduate of Jesus College, University of Oxford (MChem), and completed by PhD research in the group of Professor Henrik Stapelfeldt (Aarhus University), where I worked on the ultrafast dynamics of molecules embedded in superfluid helium nanodroplets. I then carried out postdoctoral work in both the University of Oxford (with Dr Michael Burt) and in Aarhus University (with Prof Tobias Weidner), working on ultrafast gas-phase spectroscopy (Oxford) and nonlinear spectroscopy of surfaces (Aarhus). I have also previously worked as a teaching fellow in the University of Leicester, and as a teaching lecturer in several colleges at the University of Oxford, teaching both physical and theoretical chemistry and mathematics. I have been a Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at Leicester since December 2021. 

My research focusses on ultrafast and nonlinear spectroscopy, mostly of biologically relevant systems. My expertise lies mostly in the development of techniques and instruments, and I maintain and run the laser systems and experiments in the Leicester Chemistry Ultrafast and Biological Spectroscopy (LCUBS) lab. I also actively help a number of research groups across the chemistry, physics, and biology departments with problems in ultrafast and nonlinear optics, scientific computation, and complex data analysis. Full details of publications can be found here.

On the pedagogical side, I am active in developing curricula within physical chemistry and mathematics, and enjoy helping students explore the complex physical phenomena that underpin chemistry in new and interesting ways. I have also been extensively involved in equity, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) initiatives within STEM subjects, and am the PI on the polymerise project at UoL. 

I am the Deputy Director of Education in the School of Chemistry, and I teach across all years within physical chemistry and mathematics in both Leicester and the Dalian-Leicester Institute. Specific modules are:

CH1200 - General Chemistry (module convenor)
CH1204 - Maths for Chemistry
CH1206 - Analytical Chemistry
CH2200 - Spectroscopy Theory and Practice (module convenor)
CH3203 - Advanced Physical Chemistry
CH3271 - Advanced MChem Practical
CH3263 - BSc Project Practical
CH4261 - MChem Projects (module convenor)

In addition, I have written material for (but no longer actively teach on):

CH2203 - Physical Chemistry
CH2206 - Analytical Chemistry in Practice
CH2204 - Chemistry Practical (lab experiments).

I actively developing new courses across all areas, and at the moment am especially focussed on spectroscopy, science mathematics, and computer programming for undergraduate chemistry/biochemistry students (the latter in collaboration with Dr TJ Ragan at LISCB).

I also supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research project students in the areas of ultrafast and nonlinear spectroscopy and development of novel data analysis programs (usually for biosciences applications).

A number of my teaching materials are accessible at my website (https://jamesdpickering.com/). I have authored the educational book "Ultrafast Lasers and Optics for Experimentalists" - aimed at demystifying the technology behind ultrafast laser systems for non-specialists. A second edition was published in 2025.

MChem - University of Oxford, UK

PhD - Aarhus University, Denmark