Postdoctoral Researcher in Nanophotonics with 2D Quantum Materials

Are you a highly motivated physicist interested in a postdoctoral research position at the intersection between nanophotonics and 2D material science? The 2D Nanophotonics group within the Institute of Physics has an open position for the project “Excitonic 2D metasurfaces for active multifunctional flat optics”. The aim is to employ exciton resonances in monolayer 2D semiconductors to actively tune the optical response of metasurfaces.

Join our team!
The 2D Nanophotonics group within the Institute of Physics has an open position for the project “Excitonic 2D metasurfaces for active multifunctional flat optics”. The aim is to employ exciton resonances in monolayer 2D semiconductors to actively tune the optical response of metasurfaces. Optical metasurfaces offer ultra-flat and compact alternatives to conventional bulky optical elements like mirrors, lenses, and prisms. By accurate engineering of the resonant light-matter interaction of arrays of nanostructures, light can be scattered in a controlled fashion to perform an optical function. While such optical metasurfaces are nowadays highly efficient and well established, their optical function is typically static.

In this (3 year-) project you will study the strong light-matter interactions of stable excitons in monolayer 2D semiconductor material and couple these materials to resonant metasurfaces. Using their combination, you will investigate the unique properties of these 2D quantum materials and use them to develop multifunctional and atomically thin optical elements with an electrically tunable optical function. You will be joining an exciting team of researchers with a strong emphasis on collaboration. We expect you to be an active member of the research group, and a driving force in this project.

This is what you will do
You will perform fundamental research on the understanding and use of monolayer 2D van der Waals materials in atomically thin optical metasurfaces.

You will:

• fabricate optical metasurfaces and nanoscale devices in the cleanroom of the AMOLF NanoLab Amsterdam (https://amolf.nl/nanolab);
• design and perform high-sensitivity optical and electronic experiments at cryogenic temperatures;
• develop theory and computer simulations to support the experiments;
• present your results in 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.

What we ask of you
You have:

• a PhD degree in physics;
• a strong background in experimental nanophotonics;
• a track record of publications in the field;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

You are:

• able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Other skills, experiences, and documents that would benefit your application:

• experience in 2D material (device) physics;
• previous experience in an optics lab or cleanroom nanofabrication;
• demonstrated experience with programming and modelling software (matlab, python, Comsol, Lumerical);

This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 12 months. The contract will be extended with another 24 months based on a positive performance assessment after 12 months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible, but open to discussion.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,378 to € 5,331. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile name profile and level is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

You will work in this team
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 three-year postdoc project will be carried out in the 2D Nanophotonics lab headed by Dr. Jorik van de Groep within the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI), the experimental division of the Institute of Physics of the University of Amsterdam. Our laboratory focusses on photonic metasurfaces with 2D materials and benefits from an exceptional scientific environment in hard condensed matter, nanophotonics, and materials science. The Institute of Physics is part of the Faculty of Science.

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

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 14 March 2025. Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation (max 1 page) outlining why you apply for this position;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation (if you’re short-listed).

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Jorik van de Groep, Associate Professor
• E-mail: j.vandegroep@uva.nl
• T: +31 205255643

38 hours per week

Science Park 904