PhD student

University of Rostock, Institut für Physik, AG Quantentechnologie; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A research institution in Germany is looking for a PhD student in quantum technology to develop scanning probe near-field sensors and improve microscopy techniques. The ideal candidate will have a Master's in Physics and strong experimental skills. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology with potential applications in data storage and biomolecular sequencing.

Qualifikationen

• Strong background in experimental physics, specifically in nanotechnology.
• Experience with microscopy techniques is preferred.
• Good communication skills for publication and presentation.

Aufgaben

• Develop scanning probe near-field sensors based on metallic nanoparticles.
• Operate existing setups to conduct experiments.
• Improve scanning probe positioning techniques.

Kenntnisse

Development of near-field sensors

Operation of scanning probe microscopy

Improvement of optical sensing techniques

Publication and presentation skills

Ausbildung

Master's degree in Physics or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

The quantum technology group at the University of Rostock is presently looking for a new PhD student (m/f/d) to join our team. The person hired shall spearhead a line of research aiming to turn plasmonic nanogap cavities into a scanning probe technique. Plasmonic nanogap cavities are plasmonic nanoparticles placed few nanometers above a metallic surface. They can confine light to atomic dimensions and can enhance luminescence by four orders of magnitude. So far, these devices have been studied in stationary assemblies, where nanoparticles cannot be moved. In the present project we will harness “planar scanning probe microscopy”, a flexible approach to scanning probe microscopy developed in our group (Ernst … Reinhard, ACS Photonics 6, 2 (2019)) to turn nanogap cavities into a scanning probe technique. If successful, this could pave the way to nano-optical read and write heads for future data storage as well as to direct sequencing of nucleic acid and protein sequences by scanning-probe Raman spectroscopy.

Responsibilities

• Development of scanning probe near-field sensors based on solution-synthesized metallic nanoparticles
• Operation of an existing setup for planar scanning probe microscopy to conduct experiments on scanning nanogap cavities, notably scanning probe microscopy of defect centers in 2D materials
• Continuous improvement of scanning probe positioning techniques, involving novel optical sensing schemes for nanoscale positions and angles and novel feedback electronics
• Publication of the results and dissemination in talks on national and international conferences