Assistant Professor In Physics of Functional Materials and Interfaces

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e); Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

ABP pension scheme

On-campus child care

Job summary

TU/e in Brainport Eindhoven invites applications for an Assistant Professor in the physics of functional materials and interfaces. The role emphasizes a strong theoretical or computational basis with potential data-informed approaches and a path to independent leadership.

You will build collaborations across APSE, MSM, and TU/e, contribute to educational programs, mentor students, and leverage startup packages and infrastructure to establish your research program.

Qualifications

• PhD in applied physics, computational physics, materials physics, physical chemistry, materials science, or related field.
• At least two years of relevant research experience after the PhD as a postdoctoral researcher or equivalent.
• For TU/e PhD graduates, at least one year of substantive research experience in a genuinely different external scientific environment is expected.
• Ability to initiate and conduct high-quality independent academic research, reflected in demonstrable research outputs.
• Demonstrated potential to develop scientific leadership by establishing an independent research programme, attracting competitive funding, and developing national and international collaborations.
• A research profile relevant to the physics of functional materials, interfaces, non-equilibrium phenomena, or related areas.
• Experience with theoretical, computational, data-informed, or related quantitative approaches.
• Motivation to teach, contribute to educational processes, and further develop as a university teacher.
• Serious commitment to development as an educator and a clear view of how the candidate wants to teach and contribute to education.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries while developing a recognisable independent scientific profile.
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead your own research programme within MSM and APSE at TU/e.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Applied Physics Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
• Supervise students and researchers at different stages of their academic development.
• Collaborate with experimental, computational, and technological researchers within TU/e and with external partners.
• Engage in collaborations across APSE and TU/e and with industry partners.

Skills

Independent research

Theoretical physics

Computational physics

Data-informed approaches

Interdisciplinary collaboration

English proficiency

Education

PhD in applied physics or related field

Tools

High-performance computing

Job description

Job description

Are you interested in understanding how interfaces, confinement, external driving forces, and controlled environments determine the behavior of functional materials? Do you want to build a physics-based understanding of materials under realistic operating conditions and connect this understanding to technologically relevant applications? Are you looking to establish an independent academic research line in this direction?

We offer you the opportunity to establish your own scientific identity within an internationally recognized research environment.

Information

We invite applications for an Assistant Professor position in the broad field of physics of functional materials and interfaces. The research profile should have a strong theoretical or computational basis and may incorporate data-informed approaches. We welcome applicants who want to advance our fundamental understanding of how functional materials behave at interfaces, under confinement, or away from equilibrium, and to connect this understanding to technologically relevant conditions.

The position is embedded within theMaterials Simulation and Modelling (MSM) group of the Department ofApplied Physics and Science Education (APSE) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). MSM develops physics-based predictive approaches for functional materials, connecting molecular interactions with emergent material behaviour and performance across length and time scales. This position will strengthen the group’s physics profile while complementing its existing expertise in molecular predictive modelling and multiscale integration.

The ideal candidate will complement and strengthen our existing expertise while opening new scientific directions within the broader physics of functional materials. Relevant research directions may include, but are not limited to, interfacial phenomena, non-equilibrium behaviour, confinement, transport, thin functional layers, degradation and stability, or material response to external driving forces.

We particularly welcome research that connects fundamental physical mechanisms with experimentally accessible observables and material behaviour under realistic conditions. Depending on the candidate’s profile, opportunities exist for collaborations across APSE and TU/e in areas involving materials, interfaces, transport, controlled environments, and advanced manufacturing. These scientific questions are also relevant to technology-driven challenges such as interface control, material stability, contamination sensitivity, and operation in precision-engineered environments, offering opportunities for interaction with the high-tech ecosystem of the Brainport Eindhoven region and its semiconductor industry.

You will establish and lead your own research programme while benefiting from being part of MSM and the broader APSE research environment. You will have opportunities to collaborate with experimental, computational, and technological researchers within TU/e and with external academic and industrial partners.

You will also contribute to the development and delivery of the Applied Physics Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and supervise students and researchers at different stages of their academic development.

To support the development of your independent research programme, TU/e provides a startup package, access to high-performance computing and research infrastructure, mentoring, and training opportunities for academic leadership and professional development.

In this role, you will contribute to the ambition of the Beethoven programme to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Requirements

• A PhD in applied physics, computational physics, materials physics, physical chemistry, materials science, or a related field.
• At least two years of relevant research experience after the PhD as a postdoctoral researcher or equivalent.
• For TU/e PhD graduates, at least one year of substantive research experience in a genuinely different external scientific environment is expected.
• Ability to initiate and conduct high-quality independent academic research, reflected in demonstrable research outputs.
• Demonstrated potential to develop scientific leadership by establishing an independent research programme, attracting competitive funding, and developing national and international collaborations.
• A research profile relevant to the physics of functional materials, interfaces, non-equilibrium phenomena, or related areas.
• Experience with theoretical, computational, data-informed, or related quantitative approaches.
• Motivation to teach, contribute to educational processes, and further develop as a university teacher.
• Serious commitment to development as an educator and a clear view of how the candidate wants to teach and contribute to education.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries while developing a recognisable independent scientific profile.
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English.

Conditions of employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.
• In addition, we offer you:
• A fulltime Assistant Professor position.
• An immediate tenured position for qualified candidates.
• A Development Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor.
• A tailor‑made offer to kickstart your career including the access to cutting-edge research infrastructure.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 11, ranging from €4925,- to €6682,- gross base salary per month (full-time, based on relevant experience and/or seniority).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependants and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• A dedicated mentoring programme to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programmes for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on‑campus children’s day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Centre at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and partner career support.
• Possibility for part‑time employment starting at 0.8 fte.
• On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

Employer

TU/e

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands‑on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high‑tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.