Maiken H. Mikkelsen

The University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute invites applications for two three-year Postdoctoral Researcher positions in experimental nanophotonics and quantum optics in Professor Maiken H. Mikkelsen’s group. The group investigates how light and matter interact when light is confined to nanometre-scale volumes. Its work uses deterministically fabricated plasmonic nanocavities—metallic nanogaps formed around selected emitters—to access exceptionally strong light–matter interactions, including enhanced spontaneous emission, single-photon generation at telecom wavelengths, and highly enhanced second-harmonic generation. The research programme covers three connected directions. Spatial control focuses on shaping the optical vacuum around emitters, concentrating fields for nonlinear optics, and studying phenomena such as Purcell tensors, nanophotonic Lamb shifts, nanoscale harmonic generation, and transitions enabled by field gradients. Emitter-number control addresses cavity quantum electrodynamics with one or more emitters, strong coupling, collective emission, and multi-exciton processes. Temporal control involves ultrafast and time-resolved experiments on individual nanocavities, quantum materials embedded in nanogaps, optically dressed states, pump–probe spectroscopy, and time-varying cavities. Postdoctoral researchers will conduct experimental research and help establish the group’s new laboratory at the Niels Bohr Institute. The facilities include a 1.7 K cryostat with vector magnet, a tunable femtosecond laser system, and single-photon confocal spectroscopy. Researchers will also fabricate cavities in the NBI cleanroom and at DTU Nanolab, Denmark’s national nanofabrication centre, and may collaborate with national and international partners. The successful researchers will contribute to publications and presentations, participate in student supervision, and help shape the group’s first experiments at the new laboratory. The programme welcomes candidates who wish to develop independent research directions within experimental nanophotonics, quantum optics, cavity QED, cryogenic spectroscopy, ultrafast optics, or nanofabrication.

Postdoctoral Researcher positions are open in experimental nanophotonics, nonlinear optics, and quantum optics at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen , in the research group of Professor Maiken H. Mikkelsen . The group is building a new experimental program focused on light–matter interactions at the nanoscale , combining nanophotonics with advanced optical spectroscopy and emerging quantum materials. Research directions may include fundamental studies of light–matter interactions in nanophotonic systems, quantum optics in structured photonic environments, nonlinear optical phenomena at the nanoscale, quantum and collective optical effects in low-dimensional materials, optical spectroscopy of emerging quantum materials, strong light–matter coupling, cavity quantum electrodynamics, and control of spontaneous emission, optical coherence, and quantum emitters. Successful candidates will work on experimental research involving advanced optical spectroscopy, ultrafast optical measurements, nanofabrication, device characterization, and data analysis. The role may also involve supervision of students, collaboration with national and international partners, and other academic duties as needed. Applicants must hold a PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field. Strong experience in one or more of the following is preferred: nanophotonics , quantum optics , single-photon sources, nonlinear optical phenomena in subwavelength structures, ultrafast optics , and metamaterials/metasurfaces . The position is for 2 years and is expected to start on 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is 15 September 2026, 23:59 GMT+2 . Applications must be submitted in English through the university’s online application system. Required documents include a CV, diplomas (Master and PhD or equivalent), a complete publication list, and separate reprints of three particularly relevant papers. Contact: [email protected] .