Work Activities
How do you design optical metasurfaces that efficiently radiate UV light by nonlinear frequency conversion? How do the geometry of meta-atoms and their arrangement in the metasurface translate into beam structuring, i.e., control over the amplitude, phase and polarization distribution of the emitted light ? What physical mechanisms determine how the nonlinear emission is sensitive to metasurface geometry, thus revealing structural information of interest for metrology? You will perform electromagnetic design and theory hand in hand with experiments on nonlinear optical metasurfaces that you fabricate in the AMOLF cleanroom, and of which you probe third harmonic, as well as higher order emission.

The succesful candidates will perform this project in the Resonant Nanophotonics team at AMOLF. The research is part of a collaborative programme with the group of Dr. Peter Kraus at ARCNL. The research targets both academic and applied breakthroughs, for which we will frequently interact with industry partners at ASML.

Qualifications
We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with an MSc or equivalent degree in physics or a strongly related field. A background in optics, nanophotonics, (coherent) imaging and/or ultrafast laser physics is a clear advantage. Affinity for performing optical experiments, solve mathematical problems and working as part of a team are considered important. Candidates should have experimental skills and be able to communicate in English. The project’s results will be presented at national and international conferences and in relevant journals. The successful candidate is expected to write a PhD thesis towards the end of the 4-year project, which will be defended at the University of Amsterdam. You will need to meet the requirements for an MSc-degree, to ensure eligibility for a Dutch PhD examination.

Work environment
The research activities in the Resonant Nanophotonics group at AMOLF aim at developing nanoscale photonic structures, such as plasmonics and metasurfaces, to control scattering, emission, amplification and detection of light. The group spans the entire research cycle from developing advanced nanophotonics concepts using state of the art theory and numerical design, to nanofabrication of designed structures in the Amsterdam NanoLab cleanroom at AMOLF and the development of state of the art optical scatterometry and microscopy methods.

AMOLF performs leading research on the fundamental physics and design principles of natural and man-made complex matter, with research in 4 interconnected themes: nanophotonics, nanophotovoltaics, designer matter, and biophysics. AMOLF leverages these insights to create novel functional materials, and to find solutions to societal challenges in renewable energy, green ICT, and health care. AMOLF is one of the NWO-I national research institutes located at the Amsterdam Science Park, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It has approximately 130 scientist and a total size of ca. 200 employees. Furthermore it hosts the Amsterdam NanolabNL clean room, which is part of the national NanoLabNL cleanroom network. See also www.amolf.nl

Working conditions

• The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.
• The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years
• The starting salary is 2.781 Euro’s gross per month and a range of employment benefits.
• After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch University.
• Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.
• AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

More information?
For further information about the position, please contact Prof.dr. Femius Koenderink

Prof.dr. Femius Koenderink
Group leader Resonant Nanophotonics
E-mail: fkoenderink@amolf.nl
Phone: +31 (0)20-754 7100

Application
You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.
Please annex your:

• Resume;
• Motivation on why you want to join the group (max. 1 page).

It is important to us to know why you want to join our team. This means that we will only consider your application if it entails your motivation letter.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and as soon as an excellent match is made, the position will be filled.

You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

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