Internship: Quantifying Surface Chemistry with Single-Particle Plasmonic Sensing

AMOLF; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 12,186 - 14,597; Full time

Job summary

AMOLF in Amsterdam is offering an internship focusing on quantifying surface chemistry using single-particle plasmonic sensing. Candidates must be enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, or a related field, and availability for at least five months is preferable. The internship features hands-on research in a supportive environment that encourages diversity and inclusion.

In this role, you will conduct experiments to study the optical responses of nanoparticles and contribute to innovative research projects in a dynamic research setting.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master's program in a relevant field.
• EU nationality or study in the Netherlands required.
• Internship must be mandatory for your curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Use dark-field scattering setup to measure optical spectra of nanoparticles.
• Correlate measurements with TEM to determine particle shapes.
• Modify surface chemistry to quantify nanoparticle sensitivity.

Skills

Ability to conduct experimental measurements

Familiarity with transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Proficiency in data analysis

Education

Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or related field

Job description

Internship/Master project: Quantifying Surface Chemistry with Single-Particle Plasmonic Sensing

Plasmonic nanoparticles are highly sensitive to their local environment. Small changes within a few nanometers of the particle surface can already lead to measurable shifts in their optical response, making them promising nanoscale sensors. In this project, you will use a single‑particle dark‑field scattering setup to measure the optical spectra of individual gold nanoparticles. By correlating these measurements with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the exact shape of the same particle can be determined, enabling accurate modeling of the optical response and therefore precise determination of the particle’s local environment. To test the sensitivity of this approach, you will systematically modify the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles by varying and exchanging surface molecules. By correlating controlled surface molecule densities with the measured spectral shifts, you will quantify how sensitively plasmonic nanoparticles probe their nanoscale environment.

Qualifications

You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field. You have a nationality of an EU‑member state and/or you are a student at a university in the Netherlands. The internship has to be a mandatory part of your curriculum. We expect you to be available for at least five months, although longer is preferable.

Work Environment

AMOLF is a part of NWO‑I and initiates and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

In the Hybrid Nanosystems group (https:\/\/amolf.nl\/research-groups\/hybrid-nanosystems), we investigate the interaction between different components in complex hybrid nanostructures and develop new architectures for such systems.

A powerful way of designing novel materials lies in combining unique properties of separate components in a hybrid system. Nanomaterials are especially interesting for this approach as they display unique properties compared to their bulk counterparts. An intelligent combination of several material classes in one nanostructure offers a promising approach towards improving existing properties and compensating for disadvantages of the separate components, as well as augmenting the system with novel functionalities.

Working Conditions

At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor.

AMOLF Energy Research Academy (https://www.lmpv.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-2027-AMOLF-Energy-Research-Academy-program.pdf): AMOLF offers a special program for research internships in sustainable energy science. It is composed of a research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups, combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology. Admission to this Academy is only possible in combination with a research internship project at AMOLF.

More Information

For further information about the position, please contact dr. Wiebke Albrecht (https://amolf.nl/people/wiebke-albrecht) or dr. Tom Veeken (https://amolf.nl/people/tom-veeken).

Application

You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below. Please annex your:

• Motivation letter
• Resume
• List of followed courses plus grades

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity Code

AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

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