Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) lithography at high-NA and a wavelength of 13.5 nm will be used within a few years’ time to manufacture advanced integrated circuits (ICs) for the 18 Å technology node and beyond. The wafer inspection technology has to closely follow this challenging semicon roadmap. Because of its short wavelength, EUV is also of great interest for fast, high-resolution, non-destructive metrology of nanostructures that is essential for not only semicon manufacturing but also other high-tech applications. This requires retrieving both lateral and depth information, i.e., the 3-dimensional complex-valued refractive index function, from far-field intensity measurements of the scattered EUV fields.

In this PhD project, the research focus is on developing novel methods for ptychographic diffractive imaging. This includes the design of a measurement scheme in reflection geometry that incorporates proper diversities. The candidate will also explore integrating various 3D Maxwell solvers into the reconstruction algorithm by leveraging the power of automatic differentiation as recently introduced in ptychographic phase retrieval.

In the Imaging Physics Department, the candidate will join an inspiring, friendly, and supportive community that will nurture your growth as a scientist. As a member of the Dutch TTW Perspective Program 3D Nanoscale Imaging (3DNI), the candidate will also be able to interact with researchers from other participating universities through regular workshops. This PhD project in particular has a strong connection with industrial partners such as Carl Zeiss AG and provides opportunities for short-term exchange programs.

We are searching for a candidate with a robust background in physics or a related discipline such as mathematics and computer science. The ideal candidate will possess sufficient knowledge of computational physics, in particular of electromagnetism and Fourier optics, and be acquainted with solving inverse problems. The candidate should be able to think abstractly and apply mathematical concepts tailored to practical problems in experimental ptychography. Excellence in programming skills, particularly in optimization, is desirable.

The successful candidate will be not only flexible but also responsible, and capable of working independently as well as in close collaboration with a team of fellow researchers at PhD and Post-Doc level. Most importantly, the candidate should be driven by a passion for research and dare to explore unknown territories as a pioneer while generating innovative concepts. 

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.