The posting
Are you interested in engineering materials at the atomic scale and exploring how nanoscale structures can enable new optoelectronic functionalities?
At DTU Electro, you will have the opportunity to break new ground in 2D materials and create artificial material architectures with properties that go beyond those of naturally occurring materials.
We are seeking a candidate for a PhD Scholarship in Nanostructured 2D Materials and van der Waals Heterostructures for Advanced Optoelectronics.
The position is offered within the framework of the Novo Nordisk Foundation NERD program “Quantum Interfaces”, which explores how interfaces and interactions between low-dimensional materials can be engineered to create new optoelectronic functionalities. You will be part of an ambitious research team comprising two PhD students and three postdoctoral researchers, working closely together on the synthesis, engineering, characterization, and fundamental understanding of 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures. The project will provide a highly collaborative environment combining complementary expertise in materials growth, nanoscale fabrication, advanced spectroscopy, optoelectronic characterization, and device physics.
Responsibilities and qualifications The primary responsibilities of the PhD student include:
- Fabricate 2D and van der Waals heterostructures using mechanical exfoliation, deterministic transfer, and controlled stacking of atomically thin crystals.
- Develop nanofabrication strategies for patterning materials into nanoribbons.
- Perform structural, optical, and optoelectronic characterization using techniques such as AFM, conductive-AFM, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and photocurrent mapping.
- Fabricate and characterize optoelectronic devices to investigate how material structure and device geometry influence their photoresponse.
- Supervise and contribute to MSc/BSc student projects.
- Document and disseminate research through scientific publications and international conference contributions.
The ideal candidate should have a strong academic background in physics, nanotechnology, materials science, electrical engineering, photonics, or a related field.
Experience with 2D materials, nanofabrication, optical spectroscopy, deterministic transfer, electron-beam lithography, or cleanroom fabrication is an advantage.
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
Assessment The assessment of the application will be made by Stela Canulescu and Ganesh Ghimire.
We offer DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.
The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 January 2027 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information Further information may be obtained from Stela Canulescu, email: [email protected].
You can read more about the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering at www.electro.dtu.dk.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 October (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- List of publications (if applicable)
- A brief letter of interest describing your motivation for the PhD project and highlighting relevant skills and experience.
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Electro DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829 DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
