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.

You can read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits here.

About us
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university of the Netherlands, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research, or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe, or the functioning of the brain.

This project will be carried out in the Light Matters lab led by Dr. Sander Mann within the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI), the experimental division of the Institute of Physics within the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam.

The Institute of Physics is a supportive and diverse work environment. The institute employs over 40 nationalities, and over 1 in 5 employees is female (one third of all PhD students and half of all assistant professors are female). The institute has an active Diversity and Inclusion council, and the university-wide diversity policy can be found here.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions
If you have questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact:

• Sander Mann, Assistant Professor, s.mann@uva.nl

Job application
If you feel the profile fits you and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 31 October 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files except your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• A cover letter of at most 1 page that explains your motivation to apply for this position and highlights the parts of your CV that make you suited for the position.
• A detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience. Please accompany the grade list by an explanation (i.e. what percentile of students a particular grade corresponds to).
• A selection of about three pages from a report written in English, such as your master thesis or a project report.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

The interviews will be scheduled in November 2024.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please

38 hours per week

Science Park 904