PhD in Experimental Physics: Photonics and Materials Science (Applied Aspects) Umeå University in Sweden

Umeå University is advertising a PhD position in Experimental Physics with focus on photonics and materials science (applied aspects) at the Department of Physics. The project is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK and centers on spatiotemporal information processing.

The doctoral project will develop ultrafast optical logic and memory concepts using spatiotemporal metamaterials. The research combines nanophotonics, metamaterials, quantum emitters, ultrafast optics, light–matter interaction, and magnetism, with the goal of creating new routes for information processing beyond conventional electronics. The candidate will design metamaterial structures, study control of optical and magnetic properties on femtosecond timescales, and investigate sub-10 fs protocols for all-optical logic operations, data processing, and spatiotemporal magnetic memories.

The position is based at Umeå University, Sweden, under the supervision of Associate Professor Nicolò Maccaferri. Co-supervision and mentoring are provided by Professor Riccardo Sapienza at Imperial College London, and the project includes an industrial mentor at NKT Photonics. The training environment is international and multidisciplinary, with research-specific and transferable-skills courses, workshops, conferences, and network-wide events.

Funding: the position is funded for 36 months through the MSCA Doctoral Network SPARK, with a salary corresponding to at least the MSCA level (approximately 33,100 SEK gross per month) and possible additional mobility/family allowances. Funding for the remainder of the employment period is provided from other sources. Teaching and other departmental work may be included up to 20%.

Eligibility: applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent in physics, applied physics, optics/photonics, nanoscience, materials science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field. English fluency is required. A background in photonics, nanophotonics, ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, quantum optics, metamaterials, or magnetism is advantageous. MSCA mobility rules apply: applicants must not hold a doctoral degree and must not have lived or carried out their main activity in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment.

Application deadline: 2026-11-30. Start date is expected in February 2027 or by agreement. Apply via the Varbi e-recruitment system and upload a cover letter, CV, degree certificates, transcripts, any theses/publications, and reference contact details in PDF format.