PhD Position in Experimental Physics

Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting and are you interested in the intersection between nanophotonics and heat transfer? The Light Matters group within the Institute of Physics has an open position for the project “Photonic thermal conduction in metamaterials”. The aim is to develop metasurfaces where thermal conduction is dominated and manipulated by light.

Heat transfer processes like conduction are crucial to many challenges, including energy generation and industrial process efficiencies. Open any physics textbook and you will find that heat conduction within materials is due to the flow of electrons and phonons. However, scientists have very recently demonstrated that in thin films photons can play a significant role in the conduction of heat. In this project you will develop experimental and theoretical methods to study thermal conduction in optically thin (meta)materials, and apply those methods to demonstrate novel heat transfer effects dominated by optical fields rather than phonons or electrons.

By joining the PhD program, you will become part of a diverse group of people with different scientific backgrounds, nationalities, and expertise. 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.

What are you going to do?

You will perform fundamental research on the understanding and manipulation of photonic thermal conduction in (meta)materials. More specifically, you will:

• develop an optical experimental method to probe heat conduction in thin (meta)materials;
• develop theory and simulations to understand photonic thermal transport and design thermal transport metamaterials;
• fabricate metasurfaces in the cleanroom of the AMOLF NanoLab;
• present your results at international workshops and conferences;
• collaborate with other members of the research group, other groups within the Quantum Materials cluster, and (international) collaborators;
• take part in the teaching efforts of the group, including supervision of bachelor and master students.

To support you throughout your PhD, you will meet regularly with your group leader, both individually and with other group members. You will take courses on how to successfully navigate a PhD, and additional optional courses for personal development are available (see benefits).

Your profile

You:

• have a recent Master’s degree in physics;
• exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• want to combine experiments with theory and are interested in developing new experimental and theoretical methods;
• are motivated, enjoy taking initiative, and can work both independently and collaboratively.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges from € 2,872 to € 3,670 (scale P) .This does not include an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at the Institute of Physics, we offer multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on full time) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre to develop lecturing skills;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• courses on topics such as time management, social safety, cultural diversity, handling stress, and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with full salary;
• partially paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two thirds of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.