6-year Junior Teacher appointment combined with a PhD track in optical modelling

Do you want to contribute to the education of physics and mechanical engineering students while also pursuing a PhD in AI-driven modelling of optical materials? Join our enthusiastic and diverse group of scientists and educators at VU Amsterdam!

PhD Research and Teaching Position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

We offer a unique 6-year appointment, in which you will combine a PhD research position (0.5 FTE) with teaching activities in the BSc programs of Physics & Astronomy and Mechanical Engineering (0.5 FTE, equally divided among the two programs for 0.25 FTE in each). The PhD research project is designed to be equivalent to a 3-year full-time trajectory. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the PhotoConversion Materials (PCM) section of the Physics & Astronomy department. Daily supervision will be provided by Dr. Sven Askes (PCM) and Dr. ir. Boukje de Gooijer (Mechanical Engineering).

At Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we take pride in our Bachelor’s programs in Physics & Astronomy and Mechanical Engineering (the latter offered jointly with the University of Twente), both of which are top-rated in the Netherlands for student satisfaction. In this position, you will play an active role in strengthening both programs, dedicating 0.25 FTE to each. Within the BSc Physics and Astronomy, you will contribute to the first and second year practica by teaching students, coaching teaching assistants, and improving/developing lab experiments. Within the BSc Mechanical Engineering, you will contribute towards courses such as Modelling & Programming, Finite Element Modelling, Heat Transfer, and the final Bachelor assignments.

The PhD Project

Can AI help us accelerate scientific discovery? Many challenges in modern material physics and mechanical engineering involve exploring vast parameter spaces, from designing nanophotonic surfaces to identifying new functional materials. Traditional approaches often require enormous experimental effort or computational time, making parts of these landscapes inaccessible. AI-driven methods, particularly Bayesian optimization, offer powerful strategies to navigate such spaces efficiently and can guide practical experiments and applications in ways that were previously impossible.

Your primary PhD research focus will be on AI-driven design and optimization of optical and nanophotonic surfaces and materials, where you will develop and apply algorithms to tackle problems with high-dimensional parameter spaces. Challenges you may work on include optical sensing of biomolecules, optical heating of nanomaterials, next-generation photovoltaic materials, and spectroscopic measurements. In addition, you will work closely with experimental colleagues, ensuring that your modelling advances translate into tangible results.

Your Responsibilities

• Carry out independent PhD research in AI-driven computational modelling and Bayesian optimization applied to nanophotonic surfaces, optical materials, and experimental setups.
• Publish and present your findings in peer-reviewed journals and (inter)national conferences.
• Supervise bachelor’s and master’s projects.
• Initiate and lead complementary research collaborations with internal and external partners.
• Contribute to the first and second year practicals in the BSc program Physics & Astronomy by teaching students, coaching teaching assistants, and improving/developing lab experiments.
• Contribute to the BSc program Mechanical Engineering with involvement in courses such as Modelling & Programming, Finite Element Modelling, Heat Transfer, and the final Bachelor assignments.
• Obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) in the first three years of the appointment.

Your Profile

• A completed Master’s degree in (applied) physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest and skills in computational modelling, numerical methods, and/or AI-based optimization.
• Demonstrated experience with programming (e.g. Python or Matlab) and modelling packages (e.g. COMSOL or ANSYS) is desirable.
• Affinity with academic teaching and enthusiasm for guiding students.
• The Physics and Astronomy BSc program is offered in Dutch. Good oral and written communication skills in Dutch are therefore encouraged.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are very important.
• You have a team-player mentality, a collaborative mindset, and a kind and social attitude.

What We Offer

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel based on UFO profile Teacher 4 and amounts minimum € 3.546,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.538,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.

A temporary employment contract for a period of 6 years.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment,
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus,
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge,
• contribution to commuting expenses,
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package.

About the PCM Research Section

The successful applicant will be appointed as a PhD student in the PhotoConversion Materials (PCM) section in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.

The PCM section is a highly interdisciplinary team, working at the interface of physics, chemistry, and materials science to understand fundamental mechanisms of light-matter interaction for light-energy conversion and optical sensing. We host in-house simulation, fabrication, and spectroscopic characterization tools, with great technical research support. Additionally, we have regular access to the nanofabrication and nanocharacterization tools at the nearby Nanolab.

By joining our PCM section, you will become part of a diverse group of people, with different scientific backgrounds, nationalities, and expertise. Our aim is to create an inclusive environment that cherishes our diverse backgrounds, leading to groundbreaking science.

By the end of your PhD, you will have become an independent scientist, capable of working effectively in a team, and with excellent communication skills. We take great pride in the growth and development of our students: previous PhD students in our group have won several awards for their scientific achievements and for their communication skills and have immediately secured several job offers after graduation.

Faculty of Science

Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.