PhD Student Positions (f/m/x): Electron–Light Interaction in Silicon Photonic Nanostructures

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences connects basic research with technological advancement. Researchers in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine collaborate across disciplines, supported by high-performance service facilities and modern research infrastructure. As the largest institute of the Max Planck Society, it has around 1,000 employees from more than 66 nations.

The Department of Ultrafast Dynamics, led by Prof. Dr. Claus Ropers, invites applications for two PhD Student Positions (f/m/x) in Electron-Light Interaction in Silicon Photonic Nanostructures. The work examines interactions between free electrons and silicon nanostructures, including quantum effects, at the intersection of electron microscopy and quantum photonics. The main emphasis is ambitious experimental work with electron microscopes and silicon photonic structures.

MPI-NAT is recruiting two fully funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate positions in the Horizon Europe Doctoral Network QUEST – Quantum Electrodynamics with Silicon Nanotechnology (QuEST). QUEST connects European universities, research institutes, and innovative companies to advance quantum technologies through silicon nanotechnology. The candidates will join a network of 15 doctoral candidates whose complementary projects cover semiconductor materials, nanofabrication, quantum photonics, quantum electrodynamics, advanced characterization, and theoretical modelling.

The two candidates will work in different areas:

• Project 1: Enhancing electron-light interactions in tailored nanostructures with flexible geometries and variable beam energies.
• Project 2: Exploring hybrid devices that couple local quantum states to electron beams.

One application covers both projects. Assignment is based on qualifications, skills, and stated preference.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Participate in the EU-funded HORIZON-MSCA-2026-DN QUEST project, combining network-wide training with research at MPI-NAT.
• Work closely with fellow QUEST PhD students and other members of the Department of Ultrafast Dynamics.
• Explore, experimentally and theoretically, custom photonic devices designed for efficient interactions with electron beams and solid-state quantum systems.
• Assist with the design and optical coupling of photonic structures, conduct extended experiments in an electron microscope, and complement the results with numerical simulations.
• Communicate results through scientific publications and presentations at international conferences.
• Complete PhD courses in the GAUSS PhD program at the University of Göttingen and participate in teaching as a teaching assistant.
• Attend regular meetings with other PhD students and partners in the doctoral network, including two training schools and two workshops.

Duration and secondments

• Project 1: 36 months total, including two 2-month secondments each to Copenhagen (Denmark) and Göttingen (Germany).
• Project 2: a 32-month stay in Göttingen and two 2-month secondments each to Copenhagen (Denmark) and Dresden (Germany), totalling 36 months.
• Relocation to the project partners is expected for the respective secondments.

Qualifications

• A highly motivated and talented researcher with a Master's degree (MSc or equivalent) in physics, chemistry, or engineering and an excellent academic record; demonstrated scientific achievements are preferred.
• A team-minded, reliable, and self-driven person with demonstrated excellence in electron microscopy, nano-optics, integrated photonics, or quantum optics during the Master's thesis or equivalent.
• Academic curiosity, deep and creative thinking, and responsibility for project progress and quality.
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
• Empathy and an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Eligibility and working conditions

• Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Germany for more than twelve months during the three years immediately before the recruitment date, unless this was part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
• Applicants must be Doctoral Candidates, meaning they are in the first five years of full-time-equivalent research experience, and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Salary follows MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers and includes a living allowance, mobility allowance, and, if applicable, a family allowance. The exact salary amount is not provided.
• PhD funding is provided for 36 months.
• These are full-time positions with a 39-hour workweek, starting on 01/01/2027 or by mutual agreement.
• The institute is committed to a diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities and aims to increase the number of employees with disabilities. Applications from all backgrounds are welcome.

The primary city and the application URL are not provided. Relocation to project partners is expected for the specified secondments.