PhD position in-Operando Neuromorphic OptoElectronics

University of Twente (UT); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Graduate School Twente program

ABP pension

Relocation support

Family-friendly environment

Job summary

University of Twente (UT) in the Netherlands invites applications for a PhD student to develop in-situ optical sensing for polymer-based electronics. You will design conductive polymers, fabricate devices, and build an in-situ spectroscopic platform (UV-Vis/Raman/SERS) to study interfacial charge transfer, redox dynamics, and morphology under energy-efficient computing concepts.

You will collaborate with experts in Hybrid Materials for Opto-electronics and Sustainable Polymer Chemistry, within

Qualifications

• Hold a BSc or MSc in Physical Chemistry or Physics with proven experimental skill in optics and spectroscopies.
• Willing to build an in-situ optical sensing platform.
• Strong coding and analysis skills; willingness to develop modelling toward neuromorphic computing.
• Comfortable with organic-based functional materials and fabrication.
• Fluent in English; a good team player.

Responsibilities

• Develop in-situ optical sensing for polymer-based electronics.
• Design and fabricate conductive polymers and devices.
• Build in-situ UV-Vis/Raman/SERS platform to reveal interfacial processes.
• Model electrical and optical inputs/ responses for neuromorphic computing as proof of concept.

Skills

Optics & spectroscopy

In-situ sensing

Python modelling

Organic materials

English fluency

Education

BSc or MSc in Physical Chemistry or Physics

Tools

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Twente (UT) Research Field Engineering » Electronic engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Physics » Optics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 8 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 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

As a PhD student, you will work on a project focused on developing in-situ optical sensing for polymer-based electronics: using light to non-invasively inspect, understand, and improve their stability and performance, with the aim to develop energy-efficient optoelectronic devices. You’ll select and design conductive polymers, fabricate electronics devices, then build in-situ UV-Vis/Raman/surface enhanced Raman spectroscopies platform to reveal hidden processes such as interfacial charge transfer, redox switching, doping and dedoping, morphology dynamics, and local electric field effects. You’ll model electrical and optical inputs and responses for energy-efficient computing as a proof of concept.
What sets this opportunity apart:
World-class facilities: Conduct your research at the University of Twente, a vibrant campus in the east of the Netherlands equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Expert guidance: Work alongside leading experts Dr. Ivana Qianqi Lin and Prof. Christian Nijhuis in the Hybrid Materials for Opto-electronics group, as well as renowned expert Prof. Frederik Wurm in the Sustainable Polymer Chemistry group, all within the Department of Molecules and Materials.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: You’ll be part of the MESA+ Institute embedded in the world-class NanoLab infrastructure, and collaborate closely with Department of Applied NanoPhotonics, and Centre for Brain-Inspired Computing.
This is your chance to contribute to a more sustainable future while advancing your research career at a leading European university. Join us in shaping the future of hybrid materials and forefront technologies!

• You hold a BSc or MSc in Physical Chemistry or Physics, and have proven experimental skill in optics and spectroscopies.
• You are willing to build in-situ optical sensing platform.
• You have good coding and analysis skills, and are willing to develop modelling skills towards neuromorphic computing.
• You have are comfortable with organic-based functional materials and sample preparation/fabrication.
• You show strong passion for science and exceptional motivation as a researcher.
• You like dealing with new concepts and doing original research, while being critical to evaluating experimental findings.
• You are fluent in English.
• You are a team player.

Additional Information

• Appointment for 4 years as a PhD researcher.
• Salary ranging from € 3.204,- gross per month in the first year to € 4.051,- gross per month in the 4th year of your PhD appointment.
• Professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente.
• Terms of employment in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO).
• Holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Pension as part of the solid Dutch scheme (ABP).
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• Access to the state-of-the-art research facilities.
• Large campus with numerous options for free-of-charge recreational and sport activities.
• Possibilities to cooperate with nearby high-tech companies and institutions on both sides of national borders.
• Support for relocation and immigration.
• An inspiring scientific environment with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization and collaboration are key elements of the strategic agenda.

An interview and a scientific presentation will be a part of the selection procedure. Applications submitted by means other than the indicated here will not be considered. We reserve the right to speak only to selected candidates.
Screening will be part of the procedure.
For more information or questions about the position, please contact dr. Ivana Qianqi Lin via: [https://www.utwente.nl/en/tnw/hmoe ]