About the position

A PhD position in Optical Physics and nanomanufacturing: Magnon Polaritons, metamaterials and the control of spins is available at the Department of Physics. The appointment has a duration of three years with the eventual possibility of until 1-year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the Department.

Information about the department

The position is organized in the Department of Physics. Currently, there are 27 professors, 10 associate professors, 7 adjunct professors, 70 PhD research fellows and 24 postdoctoral researchers appointed at the Department of Physics.

The Department’s research spans a broad spectrum of natural sciences and technology, which in turn allows us to offer an education that provides a solid basis for future careers. Physics research is carried out in experimental as well as theoretical fields, often across conventional boundaries between disciplines trough external collaborations. The Department’s central research areas are nanoscience, materials science, biophysics, surface physics, modern optics, astrophysics, solar energy, soft matter physics, and medical technology. Research staff at the Department makes a special effort to increase the awareness and understanding of the importance and impact of physics in society. Further information is available at https://www.ntnu.edu/physics

Further information can be obtained from Professor Morten Kildemo, Department of Physics, NTNU, email: morten.kildemo@ntnu.no , associate professor Christoph Brüne, Department of Physics, NTNU, email: christoph.brune@ntnu.no or professor Ingve Simonsen, NTNU, e-mail: ingve.simonsen @ntnu.no.

Duties of the position

We are seeking a PhD student interested in taking the challenge of designing and exploring experimental magnon polariton systems and their coupling mechanisms, firmly based on our current theoretical and numerical understanding.

The intensively researched field of Plasmonic has given us a range of applications exploring the confinement and enhancement of the electric field in an electromagnetic wave, with applications found in sensors exploring surface plasmon polaritons and localized surface plasmon resonances in addition to research on making so-called meta-surfaces and meta-materials. These devices involve mainly coupling to transitions of the electric dipole type, whereas in the current project one objectives is to localize and enhance particularly the magnetic field, and thereby address the magnetic dipole type coupling through the use of both real antiferromagnetic materials and artificially designed metamaterials.

This is a project on the frontier between THz to visible optics/electromagnetics and nano/micro manufacture, which will run in close collaboration with NTNU large activity (center of excellence) on the investigation of complex magnetic material systems that can be used to investigate new spin properties at the nanoscale for future spintronic applications. The project is further part of an interdepartmental collaboration, bridging physics, materials science and state-of-the-art nano-lithography methods.

The optical characterization will explore configurations of THz and near-infra-red to visible spectroscopy (NIR-VIS), in addition to spectroscopic ellipsometry (in THz and NIR-VIS). Nano/micro-manufacture of THz metamaterials for Magnonics and nano-manufacture of NIR-VIS metamaterials will both be manufactured in the NTNU nano lab, Computational electromagnetics will be used as part of the design (we use in our laboratory Finite Difference Time Domain, Finite Element Method and Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis), in addition to numerical work and interfacing using Python/Matlab. Interfacing to experiments may require C++ and/or Labview.

The candidate will work in close collaboration with the group performing the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of thin films and will be involved in the characterization of the relevant thin films, and collaborate closely with partners working on theoretical aspects, surface science properties, and electronic systems. The student may also profit from the environment of the Transmission Electron Microscopy group.

The project is hosted by the nano photonics and polarimetry group in the condensed matter section of the department of physics (M. Kildemo, webpage: www.ntnu.edu/physics/nanophotonics-and-polarimetry), in joint collaboration with the MBE group of the QuSpin initiative (C. Brüne, webpage: https://www.ntnu.edu/quspin/laboratories ), the numerical science group in the theory section (I. Simonsen; webpage: http://web.phys.ntnu.no/~ingves/) and the NTNU nano lab.

The project is also part of NTNU´s strategic initiative on functional materials and nanotechnology, called NTNU Nano, and the QuSpin initiative, a Norwegian Center of excellence hosted at NTNU.

Both NTNU Nano and QuSpin bring together international experts in physics and material science to find solutions to the fundamental challenges in the research area of spintronics.

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in physics or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

• We seek highly motivated candidates with a completed M.Sc. degree in Physics, Optical physics/nano photonics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science or related areas.
• The position requires a documented background in solid state physics, classical electromagnetism, optics and scientific programming. It is preferable with competence (and strong interest) in experimental research and data analysis. Candidates with experience in optics (plasmonics, metamaterials, Computational Electromagnetics), magnetic materials and clean room device fabrication are encouraged to apply.
• Additionally, the project will be driven by a collaborative approach and international experience or experience in collaborative projects will be beneficial. The successful applicant should be highly competent, motivated, ambitious and with excellent English qualifications. The candidate must be willing to perform some travelling for accessing characterization techniques only available at external institutes

Personal characteristics

• The successful candidate should be creative, ambitious and enthusiastic, with a strong ability to work independently and goal-oriented.
• The position requires spoken and written fluency in English.
• Working knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language would be evaluated positively.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The appointment has a duration of three years with the eventual possibility of until 1-year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the Department.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in physics within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is financed by NTNU under the NTNU Nano quota.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Torill Elise Ovid, HR Adviser, e-mail: torill.e.ovid@ntnu.no

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 20/11940 when applying.

Application deadline: 25.05.2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Physics

Our research and teaching are both experimental and theoretical, covering a wide range of disciplines. Our activities contribute to development of new medical technology and to finding solutions for the next generation’s communication technology, energy utilization and development of materials. The Department of Physics is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline 25th May 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Trondheim