PhD Position in Quantum Biology: Charge Transport Measurements

Join a world-leading research group as a PhD student in Quantum Nanoscience, where you will be working on the cutting edge of quantum charge transport phenomena in biological nanowires.

PhD Position in Quantum Biology: Charge Transport Measurements

Job description

After use, only a small amount of electric and electronic equipment—often containing toxic compounds harmful to the environment—is being recycled; the remainder leads to a large e-waste problem that is expected to grow in the coming years. One solution to this problem is the use of non-toxic, biodegradable electronics. Make a difference by joining a world-leading research group working on cutting-edge transport studies using biological nanowires.

In a recent breakthrough experiment, we discovered that certain bacteria (cable bacteria) can conduct electricity over centimetre distances at conductivity levels surpassing those of many doped, man-made organic semiconductors. As a PhD student in Quantum Nanoscience at the vanderZant lab, you will fabricate electronic circuits with bio-nanowires, measure their electronic properties, and explore quantum transport phenomena in them.

You will conduct research on how biological nanowires conduct electricity and how this can be exploited for functional device components on the nanoscale. Depending on your interests in quantum transport phenomena, your research may focus on the study of bio-transport in the mesoscopic regime. You will be responsible for the fabrication of devices in the state-of-the-art cleanroom at our Kavli Nanolaboratory. In addition, you will measure the transport properties at varying temperatures, gate, and magnetic fields. A crucial aspect lies in the interpretation and modelling of the results. In this role, you will work with a variety of device structures, with an emphasis on quantifying the transport mechanism. You’ll also be looking for signatures of quantum effects, especially at low temperatures where transport may involve phase coherent phenomena and quantum nuclear tunnelling.

You will join a diverse and driven team of academic staff, PhD students, and postdocs in Delft. Fostering an inspiring, friendly, and supportive environment, we meet regularly to share ideas and knowledge or socialize. In addition, you will receive all the training you need to evolve as a scientist in this fast-developing field. You’ll closely collaborate with biologists (including PhD students) in Belgium, who provide the cable bacteria.

Job requirements

As a highly motivated researcher, you want to work on the cutting edge of science. You can work well in a multicultural team and liaise with relevant stakeholders to get all the information you require as quickly as possible thanks to your independent mindset and well-rounded communication skills. Creative and flexible, you thrive on creating your own models and exploring the unknown.

You also have:

• A Master’s degree in Physics or Nanophysics with a strong interest in (quantum) charge transport phenomena and mesoscopic physics; affinity with biology is highly recommended.
• Familiarity with experimental techniques for clean-room fabrication and sensitive electrical measurements is highly recommended; a good command over programming languages such as Python used for data acquisition and analysis is required.
• A good command of English because you will be working in an international environment.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering, and design. It delivers world-class results in education, research, and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health, and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology, and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5-year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a full-time contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff, and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related, and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

The position is open from 1-1-2026.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. H.S.J. van der Zant, h.s.j.vanderzant@tudelft.nl.