Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student), Natural Sciences and Engineering University of Eastern Finland in Finland

The University of Eastern Finland is recruiting a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) in Natural Sciences and Engineering for the Department of Physics and Mathematics on the Joensuu Campus in Finland. The position is linked to the Diamond subgroup of the Nanomaterials for THz and Biophotonics Group and to the Academy Research Fellow project Interaction of Color Centers in Diamond: Towards Next-Generation Quantum Sensors (ICONIQ).

The project sits at the intersection of diamond synthesis, nanomaterials, quantum optics, photonics, and sensing. The research aims to understand how fluorescent point defects, or colour centres, in diamond can be engineered and combined to improve next-generation quantum sensing platforms. The work includes optimizing chemical vapour deposition synthesis and processing parameters, characterizing morphological, optical, and quantum properties, and contributing to the design of a confocal photoluminescence setup for quantum sensing. The successful candidate will also do Python-based software development and data analysis.

This doctoral position is intended for dissertation research and postgraduate studies. During the appointment, the PhD researcher will gain practical experience in diamond synthesis, optical and quantum characterization, quantum technologies, experimental design, scientific writing, and collaboration within an international research network. Research visits are expected with partners in Finland and abroad, including Germany, Poland, and Spain, for a total duration of up to 10 months.

The contract is fixed term from 1 November 2026, or as agreed, until 31 August 2030. The role is full time, and the starting salary is approximately EUR 2,710–2,845 per month under the Finnish university salary system. The post is a paid doctoral researcher position rather than a scholarship/studentship call.

Applicants must be eligible for postgraduate studies and hold a Master’s degree in physics, photonics, materials science, or a related field, or have equivalent foreign qualifications that provide eligibility for doctoral study. Candidates must also meet the LUMETO doctoral programme admission criteria and have good written and spoken English. Students finishing their Master’s degree may apply if they complete the degree by 15 October 2026. Preferred experience includes strong analytical skills, research and laboratory experience, optics/electronics experience, data analysis, and programming skills such as Python or Matlab.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 1 October 2026 at 23:59 Finnish time. Required attachments include a CV, publication list, degree certificates, transcripts, language certificates if applicable, a one-page motivation letter, and other evidence of merits. Official translations are required if degree documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish.

For questions about the position, contact Academy Research Fellow Sergei Malykhin. For application procedure questions, contact HR Specialist Iiris Korhonen or HR Specialist Noora Hämäläinen.