PhD scholarship in Multimodal Quantum Materials Devices - DTU Physics

ApplyMint; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 320,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Physics in Denmark invites applications for a PhD position at the interface of 2D materials, nanofabrication and quantum transport. You will develop device platforms combining electrical transport with structural probes like TEM, AFM and nanoARPES, in close collaboration with DTU Physics, DTU NanoLab and external partners.

The project is part of the Villum Young Investigator DynamiQ and MSCA SCALER programs.

Qualifications

• Two-year master's degree or equivalent required.
• Strong experimental background in condensed matter physics or nanoscience.
• Experience with microfabrication or nanofabrication is desirable.
• Ability to connect structure with electronic characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate chip architectures for quantum superlattice devices.
• Develop transfer and stacking processes for graphene, hBN, and related materials.
• Create device geometries for low-temperature transport and surface-sensitive measurements.
• Perform electronic transport measurements and correlate with TEM/AFM.
• Collaborate with DTU Physics, DTU NanoLab and external partners.

Skills

Nanofabrication

2D materials

Electronic transport

Experimental device work

Education

Master's degree (2-year)

Tools

TEM

AFM

nanoARPES

Job description

If you want to develop experimental skills at the interface of 2D materials, nanofabrication and quantum transport, this PhD offers the opportunity to build new device platforms for studying engineered quantum materials.

You will develop devices that connect electronic transport directly with structural and nanoscale characterization, including TEM, AFM and nanoARPES. The project combines hands‑on device fabrication with advanced measurements and close collaboration across DTU Physics, DTU NanoLab and external research partners. It is part of the Villum Young Investigator project DynamiQ and the MSCA project SCALER.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your overall focus will be to develop device platforms that allow engineered quantum superlattices to be studied by complementary electrical and structural probes. You will work experimentally with nanofabrication, 2D materials and electronic transport, and develop sample architectures that can be transferred between measurement platforms. A central goal is to connect the structure of a fabricated superlattice with its measured electronic response. You will work closely with researchers at DTU Physics, DTU NanoLab and external collaborators.

• Design and fabricate chip architectures for quantum superlattice devices, including embedded contacts and electron‑transparent regions.
• Develop transfer and stacking processes for graphene, hBN, transition metal dichalcogenides and charge‑transfer materials.
• Develop device geometries compatible with low‑temperature transport, TEM and surface‑sensitive measurements.
• Perform electronic transport measurements and correlate them with TEM, SEM, AFM and related characterization.
• Develop open‑surface sample platforms for nanoARPES and related probes with external collaborators.
• Establish reproducible fabrication and measurement protocols and analyse experimental data.

We are looking for a candidate with a strong experimental background in condensed matter physics, nanoscience, materials science, electrical engineering or a related field. You should have hands‑on experience with microfabrication, nanofabrication or experimental device work, and be comfortable with systematic laboratory work, data analysis and troubleshooting. The project spans several experimental techniques, so we do not expect you to have prior experience with all of them.

You must have a two‑year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two‑year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment

The assessment of applicants will be made by Assistant Professor Bjarke S. Jessen and Professor Thomas Willum Hansen.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognised for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterised by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is 3 years. The position is full‑time. The expected starting date is 1 November 2026, or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Bjarke S. Jessen ([e-mail]) and Professor Thomas Willum Hansen ([e-mail]).

You can read more about DTU Physics and DTU NanoLab at https://physics.dtu.dk/ and www.nanolab.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

DTU Physics conducts research across a broad range of fundamental and applied physics. The position will be based in the department’s 2D materials research environment, where we study the synthesis, fabrication and physical properties of atomically thin materials and heterostructures. The project will also make extensive use of the nanofabrication and characterization facilities at DTU NanoLab and involve close collaboration with national and international research partners.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe’s global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.