PhD position in Experimental Physics with a focus on photonics and materials science (fundamental aspects)

About the position

PhD position in Experimental Physics with a focus on photonics and materials science (fundamental aspects)

Department: Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Research Field: Physics

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

The Department of Physics at Umeå University (https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-physics/) conducts strong research in condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, photonics, ultrafast spectroscopy, and theoretical and computational physics.

We announce a PhD position within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK for the doctoral project ‘Spatiotemporal Hybrid Light–Matter States’.

Last day to apply is November 30, 2026.

Project description

The project will create spatiotemporal polaritons through ultrafast light–matter interactions in engineered metamaterial systems.

The research will combine ultrafast pump–push–probe experiments with sub-10 fs resolution, finite-element simulations, and quantum models extending the Tavis–Cummings Hamiltonian.

The doctoral candidate position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK.

The project includes a 6-month research secondment at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain, where theoretical skills will be developed, and a 3-month industrial secondment at Ultrafast Innovations GmbH in Germany.

The doctoral project will be carried out at Umeå University under the supervision of Associate Professor Nicolò Maccaferri.

The position provides the opportunity to work in a stimulating, multidisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European training network.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree, or equivalent, in physics, applied physics, optics/photonics, materials science, nanoscience, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.

The applicant must meet the MSCA eligibility and mobility requirements: the candidate must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment.

The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree, and the main assignment for the doctoral student is to take part in research education, including participation in the described research project and relevant courses.

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), with the possibility of additional MSCA allowances for mobility and accompanying family members.

You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi.

https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:968923/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

What you’ll bring

• To fulfil the general entry requirements, the applicant must have qualifications equivalent to a completed degree at advanced level (second-cycle), or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits including at least 60 ECTS credits at advanced level.
• To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted to doctoral studies in experimental physics, the applicant is required to have completed courses within the field of physics comprising at least 120 credits.
• Applicants should have a Master’s degree, or equivalent, in physics, applied physics, optics/photonics, materials science, nanoscience, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
• The applicant must meet the MSCA eligibility and mobility requirements: the candidate must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment.
• Research Field: Physics
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

At a glance

Position type

PhD

Institution

Umeå universitet

Department

Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Research group

Not stated

Location

Umeå, Sweden, SE
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in, Spain, ES
Ultrafast Innovations GmbH in, Germany, DE

Supervisor / contact person

Professor Nicolò Maccaferri, Professor Paloma Arroyo Huidobro

Funding

Salaried
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
The doctoral candidate position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK.
The salary follows the established salary level for doctoral students at Umeå University.
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), with the possibility of additional MSCA allowances for mobility and accompanying family members.
Funding for the remainder of the employment period is provided from other sources.

Duration

36 months

Expected start

Not stated

Vacancy reference

EURAXESS-466060

Research focus

Discipline

Materials Science, Physics

Research area

Semiconductors

Methods

Finite element method, Spectroscopy

Software

Not stated

Dates to know

Listed on FOSS Positions

18 Sep 2026

Original advertisement date

Not stated in the source

Application deadline

30 Nov 2026 · 22:59 UTC

Priority review date

Not stated

Last checked

18 Sep 2026

Last updated

18 Sep 2026

2026-11-30T22:59:59+00:00

How to apply

Application Deadline: 30 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC)
Last day to apply is November 30, 2026.
The application
The application should contain:
You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi.
Log in and submit your application via the button at the bottom of the page. All application documents must be uploaded in PDF format and should be written in English (preferred) or Swedish.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Where to apply
https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:968923/type:job/where:39/apply:1
Apply now

https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:968923/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Contact: nicolo.maccaferri@umu.se

Original sources

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/466060 ↗

https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:968923/type:job/where:39/apply:1 ↗