- Hyperbolic Nanooptics (Closed)

PhD position in Hyperbolic Nanooptics at Donostia International Physics Center.

We offer a PhD position in Hyperbolic Nanooptics. The PhD candidate will work under the direct supervision of Alexey Nikitin (DIPC, supervisor) and Pablo Alonso Gonzalez (Oviedo University, co-supervisor, https://www.uniovi.es ). The PhD candidate will be incorporated into Donostia International Physics Center (https://dipc.ehu.eus/en?set_language=en) and will be enrolled in the graduate school of the University of the Basque Country (https://www.ehu.eus/en/en-basic-facts).

Description of the project The main goal of this PhD project is to study polaritonic phenomena in highly-anisotropic van der Waals crystals. The project will be focused on hyperbolic materials, their twisted heterostructures and artificial nanostructures. The main objective of the project will be:

• Study of the hyperbolic edge modes in twisted biaxial slabs
• Spin-orbit interaction effects with topologically protected modes
• Experimental measurements and their interpretation with s-SNOM

The successful PhD candidate will be embedded into a very strong research environment of Donostia International Physics Center in Spain. The PhD student will collaborate with leading experts in nanooptics in Oviedo University. The project combines theoretical and experimental research.

Duties

The successful candidate will devote most of the time to research studies, which imply participating in the research project. Research studies will include:

• Analysis of the literature in the field of research
• Planning of research work, participation in the formulation of research questions
• Analytical calculations, numerical simulations, and data analysis
• Writing scientific articles and preparation of conference presentations
• Active participation in group meetings and presentation of well-documented results

Requirements

To be admitted as a PhD student, the candidate must have a completed a Master's degree in physics, technical physics, or equivalent.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated the following:

• Successful studies in condensed matter physics and electromagnetism
• Being familiar with lattice vibrations, plasmons and polaritons
• Being familiar with electromagnetic phenomena and propagation of waves

The successful candidate must be:

• Skilled in academic writing
• Capable to express ideas and results in a clear and structured manner
• Capable of preparing clear and concise summaries of ongoing work
• Be able to document the workflow in a way that is searchable and easy to understand for other group members
• Excellent command of English

Meriting skills include knowledge in:

• Methods of mathematical analysis for optics of anisotropic materials
• Electromagnetic simulations of edge polaritonic modes in anisotropic materials
• Modelling of polaritons in van der Waals materials in Comsol Multiphysics

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
• Target start date: 2025/01/01

We provide a highly stimulating research environment, and unique professional career development opportunities.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

In collaboration with Oviedo University.

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV and a brief statement of interest to the following application email below. 

Reference letters are welcome but not indispensable.

The reference of the specific opening to which the candidate is applying should be stated in the subject line, and the application must be received before the application deadline.

Although candidates are welcome to contact the project supervisors to know further details about the proposed research activity, please be aware that the application will be evaluated only if it is submitted directly to the email address listed below as application email.

• Reference: 2024/30
• Application deadline: 2024/09/20
• Application email: jobs.research@dipc.org

Applications received by the deadline will be evaluated by a Committee designed by the DIPC board on the basis of the following criteria:

• CV of the candidate (60%)
• Adequacy of the candidate’s scientific background to the project (20%)
• Reference letters (10%)
• Other: Diversity in gender, race, nationality, etc. (10%)

Evaluation results will be communicated to the candidates soon after. Positions will only be filled if qualified candidates are found.

The DIPC may revoke its decision if the candidate fails to join by the appointed time, in which case the position will be awarded to the candidate with the next highest score, provided it is above 50 (out of 100).

However, the selected candidate may keep the position if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, the candidate duly justifies the reasons why he or she cannot join before the specified deadline, and as long as the project allows it.

Although the call is for a PhD Student, the contract will have category of Research Assistant.

This contract is part of the project PID2023-147676NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, UE