PhD scholarship in Silicon Optomechanics and Light-Matter Interaction at the Deep Nanoscale - DTU Electro

Join the next generation of European quantum technology researchers.

DTU Electro invites applications for a fully funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate position, within the Horizon Europe Doctoral Network QUEST – Quantum Electrodynamics with Silicon Nanotechnology .

QUEST brings together leading European universities, research institutes, and innovative companies to advance quantum technologies through silicon nanotechnology. The network comprises 15 doctoral candidates working on complementary research projects spanning semiconductor materials, nanofabrication, quantum photonics, quantum electrodynamics, advanced characterization and theoretical modeling.

We are looking for a talented student to join QUEST and the Photonic Nanotechnology group at DTU Electro. The goal of the project is to set up theoretical models of dissipative nanomechanical resonators and apply these models to understand the physics and inform the design of nanoscale optomechanical systems and their interfacing to the optical and phononic environments.

You will perform numerical multiphysics simulations to model silicon nano-optomechanics with specified dimensions conforming to fabrication tolerances while meeting the requirements for practical experiments. Based on the simulations and your theoretical background, you will set up appropriate theoretical models to interpret the experiments.

We are particularly interested in nanomechanical resonators and their actuation through optical pulses or electronic signals, which are interesting for fundamental quantum experiments as well as emerging applications in on-chip light control and switching.

As a member of QUEST and of the Photonic Nanotechnology group, you will work closely with colleagues specializing in nanofabrication and optical experiments, and we emphasize a strong collaboration between theory and experiment. The PhD project takes place at DTU Electro with secondments at University of Barcelona (ES) and the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen (DE).

Responsibilities and tasks

You are expected to primarily contribute to the theory, design, and modelling of nanoscale silicon optomechanical resonators. Depending on interest, you may also contribute to specific measurements in the optical labs.

As part of the Danish PhD program, you will follow several PhD courses and take part in the teaching as a teaching assistant. For the two secondments of minimum three months, you are expected to relocate to the project partners. There will also be regular meetings with the other 14 PhD students and partners in the doctoral network, including two training schools and two workshops.

Qualifications

We are looking for an engineer or physicist with excellent academic records and who has ideally already demonstrated scientific achievements. We are interested in working with candidates who are highly motivated, self-driven, and have demonstrated during their Master thesis excellence in theoretical photonics, nanomechanics, numerical modelling, or quantum optics. Other qualities of the successful candidate:

• Is academically curious and thinks deeply and creatively
• Takes responsibility for the progress and quality of the project.
• Communicates well in both written and spoken English
• Is empathetic and enjoys working with others from diverse backgrounds.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Candidates with a strong background in photonics, quantum optics, laser physics and numerical techniques are preferred. Only candidates with a GPA belonging to the very top can expect to be called for interview.

Due to the mobility rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment

Assessment of the candidates will be carried out by Senior Researcher Philip Trøst Kristensen and Professor Søren Stobbe.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the MSCA funding rules, including mobility allowance and family allowance where applicable. The minimum wage is DKK 30264.08 for the base salary and DKK 1580,90 for the PhD supplement.

Additionally, pension paid by DTU will be added. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures .

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 January 2027 or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Philip Trøst Kristensen ( [email protected] ).

You can read more about QUEST at https://quest.dtu.dk and about DTU Electro at https://electro.dtu.dk .

You may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “ PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 November 2026 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The recruitment is taking place following the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers, which all candidates are encouraged to study.

DTU Electro

DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society.

We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society.

DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.