Assistant Professor In Physics of Functional Materials and Interfaces

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

29 days annual leave (38h week)

ABP pension scheme participation

Job summary

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) invites applications for an Assistant Professor in the physics of functional materials and interfaces. The research profile should have a strong theoretical or computational basis and may include data-informed approaches.

The position sits within the MSM group of the APSE department at TU/e. You will establish and lead your own independent research program, collaborate across experimental, computational, and industrial partners, and contribute to

Qualifications

• 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 program, 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.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries while developing a recognizable independent scientific profile.
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead your own independent research program.
• Collaborate with experimental, computational, and technological researchers within TU/e and with external partners.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Applied Physics Bachelor’s and Master’s programs and supervise students and researchers at different stages of their academic development.
• Foster national and international collaborations and participate in the ABP pension and mentoring initiatives.

Skills

Independent research leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Theoretical/computational approaches

Education

PhD in applied/physics/materials/computational physics

Postdoctoral experience or equivalent

Evidence of external research environment experience

English proficiency

Job description

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Organisation/Company Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Research Field Physics » Solid state physics Physics » Applied physics Physics » Computational physics Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 6 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Not Applicable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer 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 the Materials Simulation and Modelling (MSM) group of the Department of Applied 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 behavior 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 program 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 programs and supervise students and researchers at different stages of their academic development. To support the development of your independent research program, 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 program to educate top talent and strengthen research across the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

• 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 program, 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.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries while developing a recognizable independent scientific profile.
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English.

Additional Information

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.

• A fulltime Assistant Professor position.
• An immediate tenured position for qualified candidates.
• A tailor-made offer to kickstart your career including the access to cutting-edge research infrastructure.
• 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 dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care.
• 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.
• Possibility for part-time employment starting at 0.8 fte.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Sofia Calero, Full Professor, S.Calero[at]tue.nl .