Riccardo Sapienza

This PhD project at Umeå University is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK and is hosted by the Department of Physics, which highlights research strengths in condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, photonics, ultrafast spectroscopy, and theoretical and computational physics. The doctoral project, Spatiotemporal Information Processing , explores new routes to ultrafast information processing beyond conventional electronic approaches. The work focuses on developing optical logic and memory concepts based on spatiotemporal metamaterials . The doctoral candidate will design metamaterial structures coupled to quantum emitters and study how structured ultrashort light pulses can control optical and magnetic properties on femtosecond timescales. The research combines nanophotonics, metamaterials, quantum emitters, ultrafast optics, and light–matter interaction. A major aim is to develop sub-10 fs protocols for all-optical logic operations, data processing, and spatiotemporal magnetic memories. The project is clearly experimental and application-oriented, linking advanced photonic design with materials-based control of optical and magnetic behaviour. The student will work in a multidisciplinary and international research environment within a European doctoral network. The project includes research and transferable-skills training, as well as secondments at NKT Photonics in Denmark and Imperial College London , where the candidate will gain experience in vectorial ultrashort pulses, nanofabrication, and characterization. The doctoral project is carried out at Umeå University under the supervision of Associate Professor Nicolò Maccaferri , with co-supervision and mentoring by Professor Riccardo Sapienza at Imperial College London and an industrial mentor at NKT Photonics. The position is tied to a prestigious international training network and is designed for a candidate interested in ultrafast photonics, metamaterials, nanoscience, and experimental light–matter interaction.