Summary
Umeå University is offering a PhD position in Experimental Physics with a focus on photonics and materials science, funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK. This doctoral project, titled ‘Spatiotemporal Information Processing’, will involve developing ultrafast optical logic and memory concepts using spatiotemporal metamaterials. The position includes international secondments to NKT Photonics in Denmark and Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, offering a comprehensive training environment in a multidisciplinary setting.
Designation
PhD Candidate
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Employment | Temporary Position (Doctoral Student) |
| Extent | 100% |
| Funding | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK |
| Salary | Approximately 33,100 SEK gross per month (MSCA level) with potential additional allowances |
| Duration | 4 years full-time (up to 5 years with teaching) |
| Start Date | February 2027, or by agreement |
Research Area
This PhD project focuses on Experimental Physics, specifically within photonics and materials science, with applied aspects. Key research areas include:
- Ultrafast optical logic and memory concepts
- Spatiotemporal metamaterials
- Nanophotonics
- Quantum emitters
- Ultrafast optics
- Light–matter interaction
- All-optical logic operations and data processing
- Spatiotemporal magnetic memories
Location
Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
Eligibility/Qualification
General Requirements
- Completed a second-cycle level degree or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits.
- Fluency in English is mandatory.
- Willingness to work in an inter-cultural, international, and diverse group.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Specific Requirements
- Master’s degree, or equivalent, in physics, applied physics, optics/photonics, nanoscience, materials science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
- Meritorious: Documented background in photonics, nanophotonics, ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, quantum optics, metamaterials, magnetism, or related experimental or theoretical methods.
MSCA Eligibility and Mobility Requirements
- The candidate must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
- The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., work or studies) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment.
Scholarship Description
The PhD position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK, providing a structured international training environment. The project aims to develop ultrafast optical logic and memory concepts using spatiotemporal metamaterials, designing structures coupled to quantum emitters for ultrafast information processing. The research will investigate how structured ultrashort light pulses can control optical and magnetic properties on femtosecond timescales, focusing on sub-10 fs protocols for all-optical logic operations, data processing, and spatiotemporal magnetic memories.
The doctoral candidate will benefit from:
- Supervision by Associate Professor Nicolò Maccaferri at Umeå University.
- Co-supervision and mentoring by Professor Riccardo Sapienza at Imperial College London.
- An industrial mentor at NKT Photonics.
- A 3-month industrial secondment at NKT Photonics in Denmark (focus: vectorial ultrashort pulses).
- A 6-month research secondment at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom (focus: nanofabrication and characterization).
- Access to research-specific and transferable-skills courses, workshops, conferences, and network-wide events.
The employment is expected to lead to a doctoral degree, with the main assignment being participation in research education, including the described research project and relevant courses. Teaching and other departmental work may be included, up to a maximum of 20%.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system, Varbi. All documents must be uploaded in PDF format and should be written in English (preferred) or Swedish.
Required Application Documents:
- A cover letter (max. 1 page) summarizing research interests and motivation.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Certified copies of relevant degree certificate(s), translated to English or Swedish.
- Transcripts with grades, with English or Swedish translation. For international applicants, a brief explanation of the grading system is required.
- Copies of student theses and publications (if any).
- Names and contact information of at least one reference person.
Last Date for Apply
October 31, 2026
Apply Link
Apply via Umeå University’s e-recruitment system
