Research assistant (praedoc) (f/m/d)

Fu Berlin; Berlin; On-site; EUR 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Graduate program

Advanced lab facilities

Close supervision

Strong scientific network

Job summary

Fu Berlin invites applications for a Research assistant (praedoc) in the Mueller group within CRC 1772 mol2Dmat. The position offers a limited-term contract until 30.06.2029 for a physics- or chemistry-trained researcher who will pursue nonlinear imaging of 2D material heterostructures.

You will build and operate a new SFG microscope, study molecular lattices, and explore how charge transfer and fields tune nonlinear responses. International collaboration and conference publications are expected.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree completed by start date in physics, chemistry, or related field.
• Experience in nonlinear optics, 2D materials, organic semiconductors, or solid-state physics.
• Hands-on experimental experience with optical setups is preferred.
• Good written and spoken English for scientific communication.

Responsibilities

• Carry out research under supervision on nonlinear imaging of mol2Dmat heterostructures.
• Contribute to building a sum-frequency generation microscope combining ultrafast lasers.
• Use nonlinear optical and photoluminescence microscopy to relate lattice order to 2D material structure.
• Collaborate with CRC partners, present work at conferences, and publish results.

Skills

Nonlinear optics

2D materials

Organic semiconductors

Solid-state physics

Teamwork

English communication

Hands-on experimental work

Python programming

Education

Master’s degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry, or related discipline

Tools

Python

Job description

Research assistant (praedoc) (f/m/d) (DM-PHY-968)

Department: Department of Physics

contract duration: limited untill 30.06.2029

The Mueller group studies nanoscale light-matter coupling phenomena in quantum materials. We use polaritons to shrink light to the nanoscale and employ ultrafast nonlinear optical techniques to bridge phenomena in the typically separate mid-infrared and visible spectral ranges. We aim to advance the understanding of 2D quantum materials, activate new coupling channels to convert light between different spectral ranges, and engineer materials through hybrid light-matter states. Our group is funded by the Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG).

The position is part of the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 1772 "mol2Dmat", which studies collective states and quantum phenomena in heterostructures of molecules and two-dimensional materials. 2D materials are atomically thin crystals that can be stacked into heterostructures with entirely new properties. CRC 1772 goes a step further by combining them with organic and inorganic molecules. The consortium brings together 20 physics and chemistry groups from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin.

As a PhD student, you will work on the CRC project “Nonlinear imaging of structural order and symmetry breaking in mol2Dmat heterostructures” under the supervision of Dr. Niclas Mueller, starting as soon as possible. Specifically, you will:

• investigate how molecules self-assemble into ordered 2D lattices on van der Waals materials, and how collective excitonic states emerge in these heterostructures
• help build a new sum-frequency generation (SFG) microscope that combines ultrafast mid-infrared and visible lasers
• use nonlinear optical and photoluminescence microscopy to link the structural order of molecular lattices to the crystal structure of the underlying 2D material
• develop ways to tune the nonlinear optical response of these heterostructures through molecular charge transfer and electric fields
• collaborate closely with partner groups in the CRC, present your work at international conferences, and publish in leading journals

What we offer:

• The structured, interdisciplinary graduate program of CRC 1772, with tailored training, workshops, retreats, and funding for conference travel
• A newly built, state-of-the-art nonlinear- and nano-optics laboratory
• Close, hands-on supervision in a young and growing group
• A large scientific network across Berlin's three major universities

Key Requirements

Master’s degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry, or a related discipline, completed by the start of the position.

• Research experience, for example from your Master's thesis, in at least one of these areas: nonlinear optics, 2D materials, organic semiconductors, or solid-state physics.
• Hands-on experience with experimental work, ideally optical setups
• Python programming skills, ideally including lab instrument automation
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; experience with scientific communication in English.
• Enthusiasm for teamwork and strong motivation to work on open scientific questions.

We are committed to building a diverse research community and particularly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply.

• A motivation letter explaining your interest in the project and relevant experience, as well as your earliest possible start date
• Your CV
• Certificates including transcripts of records from your Bachelor's and Master's studies. If you have not yet completed your Master's degree, please submit a current transcript of records and indicate when you expect to complete your degree.