PhD in THz optics and technologies

Université Savoie Mont Blanc; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A French university is seeking a PhD candidate for a research project in Terahertz (THz) sensor development. The role requires a Master's degree in physics or related fields. The candidate will engage in independent research and collaborate with a skilled team on innovative THz imaging technology. Excellent proficiency in French and English is needed, along with a strong interest in electromagnetic and materials science. This position is full-time and funded by the French National Research Agency.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent).
• Motivated to conduct independent scientific research.
• Willingness to collaborate with other laboratories.

Responsabilités

• Develop and characterize a new thermoelectric detector for Terahertz measurement.
• Conduct independent scientific research in THz imaging.
• Collaborate with team members in project tasks.

Connaissances

Strong interest in electromagnetic theory

Skills in remote sensing

Signal processing

Image processing

Formation

Master’s degree in physics or related fields

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Université Savoie Mont Blanc Department CROMA Research Field Physics > Optics Physics > Electromagnetism Physics > Applied physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 2 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by the EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Development and characterization of a new type of thermoelectric detector for Terahertz (THz) power measurement and imaging.

The terahertz (THz) domain is very promising for the detection of substances [1] and materials, for security purposes [2] or more generally for non‑destructive testing (NDT) in the industrial field [3], and for very high‑speed telecommunications (5G and 6G). However, this spectral range suffers from a lack of powerful sources and sensitive sensors, especially low‑cost ones, which is slowing down application development. THz imaging, which allows an object to be imaged in volume (unlike optics) and has better spatial resolution than radio‑frequency imaging, thus has strong application potential, for example for non‑destructive testing of objects on production lines, product identification, molecule detection, baggage or mail inspection, etc. [4-6].

The emergence of a new high‑sensitivity THz sensor, which can be manufactured in matrix form at low cost, would make it possible to consider building high‑performance THz systems that are less expensive than current ones and thus intended for other fields of application or for academic research (chemistry, physics of matter, biology, etc.).

The CROMA laboratory is internationally recognized for, among other things, its activities in the field of THz characterization of materials and devices, developed since the 90s [7-8]. The project will be based on the means of characterization of the PLATERA platform of the CROMA laboratory (https://www.platera.tech/ ), and the skills in THz methods and technics of the supervising team.

In this context, the TERASENS project aims to build a demonstrator (TRL3/4) of a high‑sensitivity THz sensor for imaging (among other things) of a new type using thermoelectric microbolometric technology [9]. The technological breakthrough is based on the coupling of three fundamental elements: a thin polyimide membrane, a thermoelectric material with a high figure of merit, and highly absorbent and frequency‑selective layers. The consortium brings together four complementary teams from the Néel Institute (Grenoble) for thermal sensors and microfabrication, CROMA (Chambéry) for terahertz aspects (absorption, characterization), the IETR (Rennes) for the design of ordered absorbing metastructures, and the IEMN (Lille) for the design and production of absorbing metasurfaces, disordered in this case. Two types of devices are targeted: a single‑pixel detector for the precise measurement of THz radiation power and a 4‑pixel matrix detector for THz imaging.

The single‑pixel sensor will form the basis of a high‑precision THz power detector, while the 4‑pixel sensor will be the core of a THz imaging system for applications in health sciences and security.

The project is organized around four main tasks: 1) Design of absorber layers in the THz range, 2) Manufacturing of the absorbing layers and sensors, 3) Characterization of the absorbing layers and sensors, and 4) Manufacturing and validation of demonstrators (4x4 pixel THz array, among others).

The PhD student hired at the CROMA laboratory will be involved to varying degrees in all aspects of the project. However, he will be mainly involved in tasks 1 and 3.

Four areas of work have therefore been identified:

• Area 1: Development of THz characterization benches (task 3).
• Area 2: Choice of materials and optimization of the structure of absorbent layers (task 1, in close collaboration with IETR and IEMN).
• Area 3: Characterization of materials, absorbing layers, isolated sensors and then matrix sensors, validation and performance analysis (task 3, in collaboration with the Institut Néel).
• Area 4: Characterization, validation and optimization of demonstrators (task 4, in collaboration with the Institut Néel).

References

[1] R. Miles, X.-C. Zhang, H. Eisele, A. Krotkus, “Terahertz Frequency Detection and Identification of Materials and Objects,” NATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics, Springer Nature (2021)

[2] A.U. Sokolnikov, “THz Identification for Defense and Security Purposes,” World Scientific (2013)

[4] H. Zhong, A. Redo-Sanchez, X.-C. Zhang, “Identification and classification of chemicals using terahertz reflective spectroscopic focal‑plane imaging system,” Optics Express, 14, 20 (2006)

[5] E. Hérault, F. Garet, J.-L. Coutaz, “On the possibility of identifying substances by remote active THz spectroscopy,” IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, 6, 1, 12-19 (January 2016)

[6] M. Kato, S.R. Tripathi, K. Murate, K. Imayama, K. Kawase, “Non‑destructive drug inspection in covering materials using a terahertz spectral imaging system with injection‑seeded terahertz parametric generation and detection,” Optics Express, 24(6), 6425 (2016).

[7] L. Duvillaret, F. Garet, J.L. Coutaz, “A Reliable method for extraction of Material Parameters in THz Time‑Domain Spectroscopy,” IEEE JSTQE, 2, pp. 739-746 (1996) – citations~ 1000.

[8] M. Bernier, F. Garet, J.-L. Coutaz, H. Minamide, A. Sato, “Accurate Characterization of Resonant Samples in the Terahertz Regime Through a Technique Combining Time‑Domain Spectroscopy and Kramers–Kronig Analysis,” IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, Volume: 6, Issue: 3, May 2016

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics > Optics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics > Electromagnetism Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics > Applied physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physics, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related fields. A strong interest in electromagnetic, optics or materials, combined with possible skills in remote sensing, signal and image processing. Candidates must be motivated to conduct independent scientific research and collaborate with other laboratories involved in the project.

Languages FRENCH Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

Additional comments

This project is funded by the French Research National Agency (ANR) – Project TERASENS 2026.