The Terahertz Nanophotonics and Integration Technology Lab (TNIT Lab) at the Integrated Circuits (IC) group in the Electrical Engineering department, and the Photonics and Semiconductor NanoPhysics (PSN) group in the Applied Physics and Science Education department are currently seeking for a PhD student ('Doctoral Candidate', DC) starting from January 2025 to work on Reconfigurable THz spectral biosensors based on bound states in the continuum within the framework of the European Doctoral Training Network 'TeraIBS' (TeraIBs Doctoral Candidate 2).

Research Programme Description

'TeraIBs - Terahertz Integrated Biosensing from molecular, vesicular to the cellular and tissue level' is hiring 11 Doctorate Candidates to be funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks. TeraIBs is a highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral Doctoral Network composed of leading academic partners and industrial associated partners. The consortium consists of nine academic institutions, namely: Eindhoven University of Technology (Coordinator), Johann Wolf-gang Goethe-Universität (Germany), Universität Siegen (Germany), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain), Vilniaus Universitetas (Lithuania), Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza (Italy), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen Nürnberg (Germany) as well as six associated partners: the Arquimea Research Center (Spain), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy),Teledyne DALSA (Netherlands), Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB (Lithuania), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy), and Sorbonne University (France). The diverse consortium provides a unique and timely opportunity to train students in Terahertz Biosensing.

The driving force for TeraIBs - is to develop a radically new technology based on Terahertz (THz) radiation for biomedical detection and diagnosis, based on a team of 11 Doctoral Candidates with the necessary in-depth background in devices and systems, spectroscopic techniques, and biomedical measurement knowledge using THz radiation.

The TeraIBs Doctoral Candidates will be trained by doing research, in which they will demonstrate the potential to analyse and solve complex problems in biomolecular and biomedical sensing using THz technology targeting European industry leadership in this highly challenging sector. For each technical and biomedical challenge, a specifically designed solution to tackle the specific requirements is provided, in order to expose the trainees to a realistic research situation and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the Doctoral Candidates. In this way, the Doctoral Candidates will be equipped with an attractive set of transferable skills relevant to innovation, long-term employability, and leadership in the domain of biomedical detection and diagnosis and THz technologies.

All Doctoral Candidates will carry out secondments and placements with academic partners and industrial associated partners at the earliest possible opportunity. Transferable skills and technical workshops from industrial partners will be central to the training of the Doctoral Candidate.

Host institution

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a highly rated technical university located in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. With an annual budget of 500 million euros, TUE has over 3,000 staff members and 13,000 students and is dedicated to groundbreaking research and education in engineering, science, and technology. TUE has created the new Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute for Photonic Integration, electronics, and Quantum Technology. Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands offers (pre)graduate engineering programmes (BSc and MSc) and post-graduate technological design (MTD), PhD and teacher training programmes (MSc) and post-academic continuing education. The courses are research-driven and design-oriented. TU/e coordinates several prominent Dutch research schools and institutes, such as the Center for Terahertz Science and Technology Eindhoven (CTSTe) and the Institute for Photonic Integration (IPI) have a strong position and a role to play within international research networks. The TU/e is hence a natural partner for technology-intensive enterprises. The campus is a fertile breeding ground for new business ventures. The TU/e hosts the Dutch national centre on III-V-semiconductors and optoelectronics.

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

Curious to hear more about what it's like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

The Terahertz Nanophotonics and Integration Technology Lab (TNIT Lab) at TU/e is a recognized research lab focusing on the use of nanophotonic materials and nanotechnology in the field of terahertz devices and systems. TNIT Lab is interested in the full scope of research: from theory and device design to fabrication, characterization, optimization, and system integration. Recent research focuses on new types of terahertz nanodevices based on nanoelectrodes (nanowires and graphene) which significantly enhance the terahertz output power and the operation frequency. TNIT lab is working on the first THz-photonic integrated circuits (PIC). The goal is to integrate all lasers and photonic components (active and passive) with THz nanodevices in single chips. These THz PIC chips would have applications in communications (including 6G and beyond), bio-medical applications (including virus detection), security and safety (including explosive detection and body search scanners), industrial inspections (including quality degradation), and much more.

The Photonics and Semiconductor NanoPhysics (PSN) group is a globally recognized research group focusing on investigating light-matter interaction in a broad range of frequencies, from the visible to the THz. This interaction is enhanced by resonant structures, such as metallic or dielectric nanoparticles and metasurfaces. Strong light-matter coupling leads to new fundamental phenomena that can be exploited to tailor material properties.

Job Description

• Project title: Reconfigurable THz spectral biosensors based on bound states in the continuum
• Host institution: Eindhoven University of Technology
• PhD enrolment: Eindhoven University of Technology
• Supervisors: Shihab Al-Daffaie, Jaime Gomez Rivas, (Eindhoven University of Technology)
• Research Objectives: In this project, we intend to investigate the field confinement in metasurfaces formed by different meta-atoms, A major motivation for this investigation is the definition of the optimum metasurface for sensing at THz frequencies. Near-field coupling effects in asymmetric split rings or in tilted ellipsoids will compete with radiation leakage. Particularly relevant is to understand the dependence of field enhancement with the asymmetry parameters characterizing quasi-bound states in the continuum. We will also investigate the opportunity that photo-excited semiconductors offer for the realization of active metasurfaces, and the use of structured optical illumination for the realization of tuneable THz sensors.
• Expected Results: Spatially-resolved measurements of THz near-fields of metasurfaces. Definition of optimum metasurfaces for maximum field enhancement at different positions/distances for sensing of different systems. Realization of active metasurfaces based on photo-excited semiconductors for tunable and broadband sensing.
• Secondments: Secondment periods are planned at Universität Siegen (Germany) and Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza (Italy).

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Theoretical and applied knowledge or interest in: optics and photonics compatibility, terahertz devices and systems, RF measurements, signal & data processing, sensors, measurement techniques, and antenna theory.
• Expertise with commercial software packages for electromagnetic modelling like ANSYS HFSS and/or Lumerical, and/or CST Microwave Studio, and/or COMSOL.
• Strong motivation to deliver groundbreaking work and ambition to excel.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,872 max. €3,670). This salary is in accordance with the MSCA Call 2023 regulations for Doctoral Researchers and will be paid from the relevant monthly gross allowances (gross living allowance € 3.400 per month; gross mobility allowance € 600 per month; gross family allowance € 660 per month, only if applicable).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's daycare and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• The Doctoral Candidates are expected to travel to network partners under three secondments for a typical duration of 2-6 months. Additionally, the Doctoral Candidates are expected to participate in outreach activities including, but not limited to, YouTube videos, social media updates, participation in public events and campaigns, as well as dissemination to popular press.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Eligibility and mobility criteria (mandatory requirements EU rules)

• The recruited researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• The recruited researchers must be employed full-time, unless the granting authority has approved a part-time employment for personal or family reasons
• The recruited researchers must be working exclusively for the project
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date - unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention

Application Procedure

Documents requested

• Complete CV. The candidates are allowed to pursue a maximum of three positions in the TeraIBs programme. If more than one position is pursued, please clearly indicate all the positions that are pursued with priorities on the first page of the CV.
• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page per position applied) should state why the applicant wishes to pursue the specific research and why the applicant thinks to be an ideal candidate for the position.
• Scan of certificates showing BSc, MSc and other courses followed, with grades and if it is possible a ranking.
• Up to three recommendation letters and/or contact e-mail addresses with a brief professional description (title, position, relationship with applicant) of the referring person.
• Up to two written scientific reports in English (e.g. MSc thesis, traineeship report or scientific paper)
• Eligibility Statement: for verifying the MSCA requirements, the candidates clearly indicate the country or countries of the main activity (work, studies, etc) and country or countries of residence in the last 5 years with the exact dates.

Selection Process

The selection process of invited candidates contains two phases:

In the first phase, a wide range of selection practices will be used (including expert assessment, face-to-face interviews, etc.) to evaluate the potential candidates. The selection committee for each doctoral candidate will be composed of three members: the main supervisor from the hosting institution, a TeraIBs representative from another beneficiary and the future secondment manager of the doctoral candidate.

In the second phase, the selected candidate will be evaluated by TeraIBs' s Recruitment Board (RB). The Board addresses gender balance and diversity issues within the entire Doctoral Network and needs to approve the selected candidate.

The following evaluation criteria will be applied:

1. Scientific skills and relevance of their research experience with reference to the specific project;
2. Capacity/background to undertake the training activities successfully;
3. expected impact of the proposed training on the researchers' career;
4. Professional skills and the ability to work in multi-disciplinary and trans-national teams.

TeraIBs deals with a recruitment process based on the European principles of openness, fairness and transparency that guarantee a selection of candidates in respect to merit and gender balance. All institutions have clear equal opportunities policies ensuring equal and fair recruitment and employment of men and women.

Please note that all submitted applications will be checked against the defined eligibility and mobility criteria. Applications that do not follow these criteria will not be considered.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
Shihab Al-Daffaie (s.al-daffaie@tue.nl) and/or Jaime Gomez Rivas (j.gomez.rivas@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, by emailing HRServices.Flux@tue.nl.

For more information about the individual projects, deadline for application, starting date, how to apply, project duration and any informal enquiries, please have a look at the website of the host institutions.