AMOLF
3 days ago
PhD in Harnessing Phase Transitions for Optical Information Processing AMOLF in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full-time PhD appointment for four years at NWO-I/AMOLF. Starting salary is €3,115 gross per month. The post includes employment benefits, PhD training courses, and support for housing, visa applications, transport costs, and furnishing expenses for new foreign PhD students.
Deadline
Feb 24, 2027
Country
Netherlands
University
AMOLF

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About this position
PhD opportunity in physics/photonics at AMOLF and Utrecht University
This PhD project explores how phase transitions can be harnessed for optical information processing. The research focuses on how, near a continuous phase transition, strong susceptibility can amplify weak optical signals and potentially reduce the energy required for operations, while also introducing trade-offs from critical slowing down and fluctuations.
The project builds on recent work in a laser-driven optical cavity containing a perovskite crystal. The successful candidate will study the spectral and temporal response near the transition, including memory effects and fluctuations, and will test controlled time-dependent signals and benchmark optical information-processing operations at different distances from the phase transition. The work combines experimental optics/photonics, theoretical modelling, statistical data analysis, and numerical simulations, with possible nanofabrication and materials characterization.
This is a collaborative PhD between AMOLF and Utrecht University. The host group is the Interacting Photons group led by Prof. Said R. K. Rodriguez at AMOLF, with part-time work at Utrecht University with Prof. Allard Mosk. The position is based in Amsterdam and includes teaching contributions at Utrecht University.
Eligibility: MSc degree in physics, optics, photonics, nanoscience, or a related field. Experience in optics/photonics is preferred but not required. Interest in nonlinear dynamics, condensed-matter physics, and stochastic processes is valued. Strong communication and teamwork skills are important because the project connects two locations.
Funding: Full-time PhD appointment for four years. Starting salary is €3,115 gross per month, with employment benefits. AMOLF also assists new foreign PhD students with housing and visa applications and compensates transport and furnishing expenses.
Deadline: 24 February 2027.
How to apply: Submit your application online through the vacancy page. For more information, contact Said R.K. Rodriguez at [email protected].
Funding details
Full-time PhD appointment for four years at NWO-I/AMOLF. Starting salary is €3,115 gross per month. The post includes employment benefits, PhD training courses, and support for housing, visa applications, transport costs, and furnishing expenses for new foreign PhD students.
What's required
MSc degree in physics, optics, photonics, nanoscience, or a related field. Laboratory experience in optics or photonics is preferable but not strictly necessary. Strong interest in nonlinear dynamics, condensed-matter physics, and/or stochastic processes is valued. The ideal candidate is an experimentalist who can set up and perform complex experiments, think deeply about results, and model them. Good personal and communication skills are needed to connect two groups at different locations and to work independently.
How to apply
Apply online via the vacancy page using the application button. For questions about the position, contact Said R.K. Rodriguez by email.
More information can be found here
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