PhD in Automated Spectroscopy of Photoactive Molecules and Thin Films

Laplace Expert Ltd; Amsterdam; Remote; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Amsterdam invites a PhD candidate to create automated spectroscopy workflows and a self-driving laboratory platform for photoactive molecules and thin films. The project spans RoboChem concepts, photochemistry, porosity research and AI-driven experimentation.

Start date is December 31, 2026, for four years with an 18-month initial contract and potential extension. Salary ranges from EUR 3204 to EUR 4051 per month, paid monthly, and close on Oct 31, 2026.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience building experimental setups is expected.
• Experience with spectroscopy is preferred.
• Ability to handle molecular solutions and photosensitive samples and work with optics, fluidics, detectors or light sources.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated spectroscopy workflows.
• Contribute to a self-driving laboratory platform for photoactive systems and thin films.
• Collaborate across disciplines to optimize molecular structure–function relationships.

Skills

Optical spectroscopy

ATR-UV–Vis spectroscopy

Photophysics

Flow systems

Instrument automation

Python

LabVIEW

MATLAB

3D printing

Education

Master's degree in chemical engineering, physical chemistry, materials science or a closely related field

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

MATLAB

3D printing

Job description

PhD in Automated Spectroscopy of Photoactive Molecules and Thin Films

University of Amsterdam · Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science

Netherlands

About This Opportunity

The University of Amsterdam is recruiting a PhD candidate to build automated spectroscopy workflows and a self-driving laboratory platform for photoactive molecular systems and functional thin films. Applications close on 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Europe/Amsterdam.

The project extends the RoboChem self-driving laboratory concept to photochemistry, porosity research and thin-film growth. It combines diffusion-ordered optical spectroscopy, flow-based ATR-UV–Vis methods, photophysics, instrument automation and AI-driven optimisation to connect molecular structure, organisation and function.

self-driving laboratories spectroscopy photochemistry thin films RoboChem AI-driven experimentation

Level PhD

Time Commitment Full-time

Start Date Dec 31, 2026

Duration 4 years; initial 18-month contract with extension after satisfactory evaluation

Reference Code 15522

Field Automated Spectroscopy and Self-Driving Laboratories

Organization Type University

Funding & Compensation

Amount EUR 3204-4051 / Per Month

Funding Type Salary

Funding Status Paid

Period Per Month

Requirements

Education

Applicants should hold a Master's degree in chemical engineering, physical chemistry, materials science or a closely related field.

Experience

Hands-on experience building experimental setups is expected, ideally involving spectroscopy. Applicants should be comfortable handling molecular solutions and photosensitive samples and working with optics, fluidics, detectors or light sources.

Technical Skills

• Optical spectroscopy
• ATR-UV–Vis spectroscopy
• Photophysics
• Flow systems
• Instrument automation
• Python
• LabVIEW
• MATLAB
• 3D printing

General Skills

• Experimental documentation
• Scientific communication
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Initiative