Timothy Peter Softley FRS FRSC FInstP^[1][3] is Pro-vice-chancellor (PVC) for research and knowledge transfer at the University of Birmingham.^[6][7][8]

Softley was educated at The Hewett School in Norwich and Wadham College, Oxford.^[1] He moved to the University of Southampton to complete a PhD supervised by Alan Carrington in 1984.^[3][2] From 1986 to 1987 Softley worked as a post doctoral researcher in the group of Richard Zare at the Stanford University.^[9]

Softley is distinguished for his advances in two areas of Chemical Physics.^[3] First, the study of atoms and molecules in highly excited quantum states, known as Rydberg states.^[3] 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.^[3] 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.^[3]

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.^[3] His former doctoral students include Helen H. Fielding.^[4]