PhD student within Center for Polariton-driven light-matter interactions (POLIMA)
Center for Polariton-driven Light-Matter Interactions (POLIMA) at The Mads Clausen Institute at the University of Southern Denmark looks for a highly motivated student willing to perform an experimental PhD in Physics in the area of Quantum optoelectronics and 2D materials.
The position is available from 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The successful candidate will develop experimental research performing magneto-optical spectroscopy combined with electronic transport to investigate light-matter interactions in 2D materials. Our goal is to access and control new phases of matter with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity.We aim to achieve this goal through the confinement of charges and photons in reduced dimensions.
We welcome candidates with strong background in solid-state physics. Experience in optical spectroscopy, fabrication of van der Waals heterostructures, electronic transport, and near-field optics are a plus but not a stringent requirement.
POLIMA is a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) for initially 6 years (2023-28). Professor N. Asger Mortensen is the head of POLIMA, which currently consists of two Associate Professors, two Assistant Professors, a Lab Manager, a Center Administrator, and app 10-15 PhD students, postdocs and visiting scientists.Several POLIMA researchers have attracted prestigious personal grants e.g. VILLLUM Investigator, Sapere Aude and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowships. Read more on POLIMAs website.
We offer a competitive and highly collaborative research environment with strong interconnection between experimental and theoretical physics. We provide a large network of collaborators to develop ideas and new projects. Excellent experimental research infrastructure which allows to acquire knowledge in new experimental techniques and quantum matter physics.
We offer:
- A PhD Student position in an ambitious and supportive, international research environment
- A dedicated supervisor research team to support the academic development of the PhD Student
- Access to state-of-the-art equipment, facilities, and infrastructure
- A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc.) (https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/international-staff/getting-settled)
POLIMA is located at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense – 1 hour 15 minutes by train from Copenhagen Airport. University of Southern Denmark offers dedicated assistance and support with various practical, social, and legal aspects (housing, visa, administration, tax etc.), especially for international candidates through our international staff office (ISO) and the administrative staff at POLIMA.
For further information about the positions and the research center, contact Assistant Professor Nicolas Ubrig (ubrig@mci.sdu.dk).
If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk.
Application procedure
Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.
Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include:
- Motivated application.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).
- Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
- Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website.
- An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish).
- Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
- List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
- References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
- A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.
UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).
All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.
The application deadline is June 15, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST)
Assessment and selection process
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.
Read about the Assessment and selection process.
Conditions of enrollment/employment
Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.138DKR. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.
The preferred start date is from 1 October 2025.
Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).
Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.
- The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.
Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.
Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.
Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex