Doctoral Candidate position SPARK MSCA Doctoral Network

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España; Presencial; EUR 31.000 - 38.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Salary 3,100€/mo

3 years funding

ICL stay

JCMwave internship

Training program

Descripción de la vacante

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid invites applications for a Doctoral position in the Department of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics within the SPARK MSCA network. The project focuses on time-varying metamaterials and nonlinear optics, with secondments at Imperial College London and JCMwave.

The successful candidate will develop first-principles models, investigate amplification boundaries, and link theory with experiments. Master’s degree required, eligibility criteria apply.

Formación

• Master’s degree required; fields include Applied Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering.
• You must not have a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
• You should not have resided in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment.

Responsabilidades

• Develop first-principles theoretical models of time-varying metamaterial responses.
• Investigate amplification and non-frequency-conserving processes in these systems.
• Provide theoretical support linking nonlinear optics with spatiotemporal modulation experiments.

Conocimientos

Time-varying metamaterials

Nanophotonics theory

Educación

Master’s degree in Applied Physics/Optics/EE/Materials engineering

Herramientas

JCMwave

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Department Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 17 Nov 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101310184 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The goal of SPARK is to train a top-class cohort of 15 DCs, that will become the future R&D staff within the area of spatiotemporal metamaterials and light fields. We will create and consolidate links between strategic industry partners and leading academic partners including Eindhoven University of Technology (coordinator), Umeå University, INESC MN (Lisbon), Université de Namur, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Imperial College London by means of common engagement in research and training courses. This will result in the new understanding of nature and creation of new photonic technologies based on spatiotemporal metamaterials and structured light.

DC2: Beyond Nonlinear Optics with Time-Varying Metamaterials

Doctoral position at the Department of Condensed Matter Physics Theory at Autónoma University of Madrid, Spain

Objectives:

• Develop first-principles theoretical models describing time-varying metamaterial responses
• Investigate the boundaries of amplification and non-frequency-conserving processes in these systems
• Provide theoretical support connecting nonlinear optics with spatiotemporal modulation experiments

During the thesis, the candidate will develop multidisciplinary skills on nanophotonics theory, metamaterials design, experimental realization and characterization, gained through secondments at Imperial College London (ICL) and an industry internship at JCMwave.

• Gross salary starting on 3.100€/month, with potential for additional funding depending on your family status.
• 36 months funded through the SPARK MSCA network, with the additional benefits for employees.
• 6-month research stay at ICL (United Kingdom) and 3-month internship at JCMwave.
• Training program including research-specific and transferable skills courses.
• Active participation in workshops, conferences, and network-wide events to build professional and scientific connections.
• Stimulating, multidisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European training network.

Starting date: February 2026.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Master’s degree in fields of Applied Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering etc.


• You should not have a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.


• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment (this is a requirement from the funding authority).

Applications will close on November 17th 2026.