PhD position: Optical metasurfaces controlling quantum electron wavepackets

AMOLF; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing support

Visa assistance

PhD training courses

Job summary

AMOLF in Amsterdam invites applications for a PhD position focusing on fundamental interactions between high-energy electrons and extreme light fields in a scanning electron microscope. You will explore photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM) using ultrafast SEMs and engineer non-local optical metasurfaces to control strong light fields.

The project spans four years, with start in December 2026, and combines ultrafast electron-light-matter interaction, cathodoluminescence

Qualifications

• Strong background in physics with interest in nanophotonics and quantum physics.
• Experience with nanofabrication and Electron Microscopy techniques is desirable.
• Interest inPINEM, metasurfaces and light–matter interactions.

Responsibilities

• Study PINEM and metasurface design and modeling in the AMOLF SEM setup.
• Integrate PINEM metasurfaces and tailor electron wavepackets by design.
• Investigate coherence and entanglement in electron energy loss and cathodoluminescence.

Skills

Physics background

Nanophotonics

Quantum physics

Nanofabrication

Electron microscopy

Education

MSc in physics or equivalent

Tools

Cleanroom fabrication

Job description

Work Activities

In this project, you will study the fundamental interactions between high-energy electrons and extreme light fields in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Gaining control over these interactions may lead to new forms of electron microscopy that exploit the quantum-mechanical nature of electron wavepackets. The project uses an emerging technique, photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM), in which electrons in a 1-ps-pulsed electron beam exchange energy with a strongly confined optical near field generated by intense laser pulses. This interaction changes the electrons' energy, which in turn modifies the electron wavepacket in space and time, creating, for example, attosecond electron pulse trains. You will develop specially designed non-local optical metasurfaces to control the interaction of the electrons with the strong light fields. Structured 2D dielectrics integrated with nanometer-thin transition-metal dichalcogenide layers, exhibiting strong optical resonances, will be designed to enhance and control the coupling in an ultrafast 1-30 keV SEM.

Your research will include:

• PINEM and metasurface design (years 1): learn to operate the ultrafast SEM at AMOLF, study PINEM theory and modeling, and design and fabricate metasurfaces in the Amsterdam NanoCenter cleanroom.


• PINEM-metasurface integration (year 2): measure the electron-light interaction of optimized metasurfaces and tailor electron wavepackets by design, including through two subsequent coherent PINEM interactions.


• Coherence and entanglement (year 3-4): investigate correlations between electron energy loss and cathodoluminescence, and test a quantum-eraser geometry in which the which-path information is erased.

The project combines the ultrafast electron-light-matter interaction and cathodoluminescence expertise of Prof. Albert Polman (AMOLF) with metasurface design, fabrication and optical characterization expertise of Dr. Jorik van de Groep (University of Amsterdam). You will be based in the Photonic Materials group of Prof. Polman at AMOLF, with close interaction with the 2D Nanophotonics group of Dr. van de Groep at the University of Amsterdam.

Qualifications

We invite applications from highly motivated candidates with a strong background in physics and a keen interest in nanophotonics, quantum physics, nanofabrication and electron microscopy. We especially encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. Prospective PhD candidates must hold an MSc degree in physics or equivalent qualification.

Work environment

Work environment The Photonic Materials group (www.erbium.nl), led by Prof. Albert Polman, studies light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. The group is composed of an international team of PhD students, postdocs and master students that work in a collaborative atmosphere with many social group activities. Every week we hold a group meeting and departmental colloquium and poster sessions. We also regularly organize an international group labtour.

AMOLF provides state-of-the-art ultrafast electron microscopy systems for time-, angle- and polarization-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and PINEM, and a shared cleanroom for nanofabrication and characterization (Amsterdam NanoCenter). We offer a highly collaborative and supportive environment, fostering strong connections both within the group and with our national and international partners. PhD students benefit from a variety of courses designed to enhance their research skills.

AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiates and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and creates 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 The 2D Nanophotonics lab (https://vandegroeplab.com), led by Dr. Jorik van de Groep, studies nanophotonic metasurfaces that enable active control over light by harnessing the highly tunable optical properties of two-dimensional quantum materials. By combining resonant metallic and semiconductor nanostructures with exciton resonances in 2D semiconductors, we create dynamic metasurfaces that actively tune light emission, scattering, and absorption at the nanoscale. Our group is part of the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam (https://iop.uva.nl) and works in a collaborative atmosphere with other researchers within the department and (inter)national collaborators.

Working conditions

The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly non-Dutch employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.

The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment for the duration of four years. The planned start date is December 1, 2026. The starting salary is 3.115 Euros gross per month and a range of employment benefits.

After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at the University of Amsterdam.

Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.

AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

More information?

For further information about the position, please contact Albert Polman: [e-mail] and Jorik van de Groep: [e-mail]

Application

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).