Summary
Are you a curious and motivated researcher eager to develop cutting-edge imaging technology? TU Delft’s Curious Beams Lab is seeking two PhD candidates to pioneer a new approach to imaging material surfaces with electrons. This ERC Starting Grant project, BEAMSurf, aims to build a surface-sensitive diffractive microscope, enabling high-resolution imaging of surfaces during operation and overcoming conventional resolution limits.
You will join an interdisciplinary team within the Microscopy and Instrumentation Techniques (MInT) cluster, contributing to both experimental realization and computational methods for this groundbreaking technique.
Designation
- PhD Candidate (2 positions available)
Research Area
- Diffractive Electron Imaging of Surfaces
- Electron Optics and Experimental Imaging
- Computational Imaging and Surface Science
- Materials Science, Catalysis, Nanoelectronic Devices
Location
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Imaging Physics, Microscopy and Instrumentation Techniques (MInT) cluster, Delft, Netherlands.
Eligibility/Qualification
General Requirements:
- An MSc degree, or equivalent, in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, computer science, or a closely related field.
- A strong interest in experimental physics, electron microscopy, imaging science, or a related area.
- Ability to work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative research team.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good written and spoken English communication skills.
- Availability to start in 2027 (with some flexibility).
Specific Requirements for PhD 1 (Electron Optics and Experimental Imaging):
- Experience or interest in electron optics, electromagnetic simulation, nanofabrication, MEMS, vacuum systems, instrumentation, electronics, or experimental microscopy is particularly valuable.
Specific Requirements for PhD 2 (Computational Imaging and Surface Science):
- Experience or interest in scientific programming, numerical simulation, inverse problems, computational imaging, diffraction, electron microscopy, or materials characterization is particularly valuable.
Job Description
We are looking for two PhD candidates to join the Curious Beams Lab at Delft University of Technology to develop a new approach to imaging materials surfaces with electrons. These positions are part of BEAMSurf: Diffractive Atomic-Scale Surface Imaging with Backscattered Electrons, an ERC Starting Grant project led by Dr. Georgios Varnavides.
PhD 1: Electron Optics and Experimental Imaging
You will help develop and experimentally realize the new electron-optical imaging platform. Working closely with a postdoctoral researcher, you will design, characterize, and integrate miniature electron-optical components into a high-vacuum SEM. Your work will involve electron optics, ray tracing simulations, nanofabrication, vacuum technology, and experimental microscopy. You will also establish the experimental imaging methodology and optimize the microscope for diffractive imaging.
PhD 2: Computational Imaging and Surface Science
You will develop the computational methods needed to extract high-resolution surface information from coherent backscattered electron measurements. This includes developing forward models and inverse-scattering approaches for reflection-mode electron imaging, using simulations and experimental reconstructions. As the experimental platform matures, you will apply these methods to experimental measurements to achieve high-resolution surface imaging, with a focus on studying dynamic surface processes like oxidation and interfacial reactions.
Research Environment:
You will join the Curious Beams Lab within the Microscopy and Instrumentation Techniques (MInT) cluster of the Department of Imaging Physics at TU Delft. The MInT cluster offers access to state-of-the-art field-emission SEMs and FIB-SEMS, with a new microscope being acquired for this project. The ImPhys department provides an interdisciplinary environment spanning various imaging modalities.
Conditions of Employment:
- 4-year employment period, initially with a 1.5-year contract and a go/no-go assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional 2.5-year contract.
- Salary range: €3204 – €4051 gross per month (full-time, 38 hours), increasing annually.
- 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
- Enrollment in the TU Delft Graduate School with excellent supervision and a Doctoral Education Programme.
- Customizable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, monthly work costs contribution.
- Flexible work schedules and relocation support for international candidates (Coming to Delft Service, Dual Career Programme).
- This is an EU-funded project (BEAMSurf, project number 101301679).
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply via the application button by the deadline. Please upload the following documents:
- A motivation letter describing your research interests and experience.
- Your CV (if selected for an interview, you will be asked to provide contact details of at least 3 referees with their consent).
- Your MSc thesis abstract (or equivalent research summary).
- Transcript of your Bachelor degree.
Address your application to Dr. Georgios Varnavides. Please note that only applications submitted online will be processed. TU Delft conducts a risk assessment as part of the recruitment process for knowledge security.
Last Date for Apply
- 8 November 2026
