PhD Student in Experimental Physics

Umeå Universitet · plný úvazek

Umeå universitet, Umeå, Švédsko

The Department of Physics (https://www.umu.se/institutionen-for-fysik/) at Umeå University conducts strong research in condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, photonics, theoretical physics, and computational physics, among other areas. We are seeking a PhD student for the project Spatiotemporal Hybrid Light–Matter States, with focus on ultrafast light–matter interactions, spatiotemporal metamaterials, and polaritons. Application deadline: October 31, 2026. Start date: February 2027 or by agreement. Project Description The project aims to create spatiotemporal polaritons through ultrafast light–matter interactions in engineered metamaterial systems. The PhD student will investigate broadband gap semiconductors and high-quality excitonic or molecular emitters coupled to time-modulated lattices, with the goal of realizing hybrid light–matter states whose properties can be controlled on femtosecond timescales. The research combines ultrafast pump–push–probe experiments with sub-10 fs time resolution, finite element simulations, and quantum models building on the Tavis–Cummings Hamiltonian. The goal is to demonstrate coherent control of spatiotemporal polaritons and develop spatiotemporal metamaterial platforms enabling new forms of hybrid light–matter dynamics. The work brings together nanophotonics, metamaterials, ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, and quantum optics. The PhD position is funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK. The network offers a structured international training environment with research-specific and general skills development courses, workshops, conferences, and network-wide activities. The project includes a six-month research stay at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain, where theoretical skills will be developed, and a three-month industrial placement at Ultrafast Innovations GmbH in Germany. The PhD project will be conducted at Umeå University under the supervision of Senior Lecturer (Docent) Nicolò Maccaferri. The PhD student will also receive support through co-supervision and mentoring from Docent Paloma Arroyo Huidobro at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and from an industrial mentor at Ultrafast Innovations GmbH. The position offers the opportunity to work in a stimulating, interdisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European doctoral network. Qualifications Basic eligibility is held by those who have completed a degree at advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 at advanced level, or in some other way within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge. To meet the requirement for specific eligibility to be admitted to doctoral education in experimental physics, the applicant must have completed courses within the subject area of physics of at least 120 higher education credits. The applicant should have a master's degree or equivalent in physics, applied physics, optics/photonics, materials science, nanoscience, electrical engineering, or a related field. A requirement is that the applicant must be able to speak and write English fluently. Documented experience in photonics, nanophotonics, ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, quantum optics, exciton–polaritons, light–matter interaction, numerical simulations, or quantum modeling is meritorious. We are looking for someone who wants to work in an intercultural and international environment and has a high ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The applicant must meet the MSCA's eligibility and mobility requirements, which means that the person must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment and must not have been resident or conducted their primary activities (e.g., work or studies) in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months preceding recruitment. Terms of Employment The employment is intended to lead to a doctoral degree, and the PhD student's primary task is to undergo doctoral education, which includes participation in the described research project and relevant doctoral training courses. Teaching and other departmental work of up to 20% may be included in the employment. The salary follows the established salary scale for PhD students at Umeå University. The position is financed for 36 months through the MSCA Doctoral Network SPARK where the salary corresponds to at least the MSCA level (approximately 33 100 SEK gross per month) with the possibility of MSCA supplements for mobility and accompanying family. For the remaining employment period, other funding is available. Terms of employment and other benefits follow applicable regulations. The employment comprises four years of full-time studies or up to five years if teaching or other departmental work is included. Employment begins in February 2027 or by agreement. Application The application should contain the following: A personal letter with a summary of research interests and motivation (max. 1 page). CV Certified copies of degree certificates with English or Swedish translation A list of university courses with grades. Note that for international applicants, the grading system should be briefly explained. Copy of thesis and publications (if applicable). Name and contact information for at least one reference person. You apply through our e-recruitment system Varbi. The application deadline is October 31, 2026. Log in and submit your application using the button at the bottom of the page. All documents must be uploaded in PDF format and be written in English (preferably) or Swedish.