Work Activities
Did you know high-energy electrons can serve as efficient sources of optical excitation of matter? Our group has developed cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy, in which we use 1-30 keV electrons in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to excite nanomaterials. The oscillating electric field carried by the electron serves as a broadband (0-30 eV) excitation source with 5 nm spatial and 5 fs temporal resolution. This enables us to study excitations and localized modes of plasmons, 2D semiconductors, and a wide range of optical metamaterials. We study excitation dynamics through time-resolved spectroscopy, correlative measurements, holography and perform 3D tomography of complex geometries.

In this project, we will investigate the potential use of CL spectroscopy in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) as a tool for semiconductor metrology. We will collect angle-, polarization-, and time-resolved CL spectra on complex nanostructures composed of metal, semiconductor, and dielectrics, and aim to derive characteristic materials properties and feature sizes in 3D from the collected data sets. The project ranges from studies of simple model systems to complex structures like nanosheet transistors that are relevant for semiconductor manufacturing and uses tomographic techniques in combination with inverse design and machine learning tools. The aim is to determine the possibilities and limitations of the use of CL in semiconductor metrology and to develop practical workflows for CL tomography. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the neighboring Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) and the companies ASML and Delmic.

Qualifications

• You have a master’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field.
• You have very strong social, organizational, and communication skills.
• You like to work both independently and in a collaborative team.

Work environment
AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

The Photonic Materials group (www.erbium.nl), led by Prof. Albert Polman, studies light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. The group is composed of an international team of 8-10 PhD students, postdocs and master students that work in a collaborative atmosphere with many social group activities. Every week we hold group meeting, CL team meeting, and departmental colloquium and poster sessions, in addition to regular journal clubs. We also regularly organize an international group labtour.

Our group is part of AMOLFs Nanophotonics and Light Management in new Photovoltaic Materials research centers that are composed of 8 research groups (50 PhD students and postdocs) that share a state-of-the-art cleanroom for nanofabrication and characterization and many other facilities.

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. Albert Polman
E-mail: a.polman@amolf.nl
Phone: +31 (0)20-754 7100

Application
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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