PhD student in Materials Physics

Uppsala University hereby declares a PhD student position in Materials Physics, at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, to be open for application.

The research conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy encompasses a wide range of physics topics, distributed over nine divisions. The department is located in the Ångström laboratory and employs nearly 400 people, 100 of whom are doctoral students. It offers a broad physics curriculum to undergraduate and graduate students, participation in nationally and internationally leading projects for researchers, and opportunities for partnership with industry and various outreach activities.

Read more about the Department of Physics and Astronomy here

The research within the division of Materials Physics, at Uppsala University, is centred around understanding the physical properties of materials by analysing their structure and composition across multiple length scales, from the atomic to the macroscopic, and linking them to functional properties. Core areas are magnetism, hydrogen, energy materials, soft matter and ion-solid interactions.

Read more about the division of Materials Physics here

Project description

The PhD project will focus on the structural manipulation and synthesis of 2D materials. Within the project, the student will use ion irradiation to functionalise 2D substrates with defects. They will then use ultra-low energy ion implantation to introduce metal atoms to the systems. By controlling both processes, the student explores the formation of atomically thin metallene layers. The structures are characterised at the atomic scale using spectroscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy and their properties are mapped. The investigation aims to shed light on the atom scale growth process of thin metal layers on 2D substrates. By controlling the synthesis spatially, the metallene layers are studied for their properties as electrical contacts. The high-quality source-drain contact in a semiconductor device is critical for its performance and operation as well as sustainability. The chemical interactions at the interface of the nanomaterial and the electrode govern everything.

Duties
The doctoral project will be focused on obtaining new information on synthesis of 2D metals onto defect engineered substrate. Specifically, this includes:

• producing 2D samples via mechanical exfoliation or other methods;
• participate in upgrading/testing the infrastructure presently available, to enable implantation at ultra-low energies;
• using ion irradiation to structurally modify and create selected defects in the samples;
• using ion implantation to synthesise metallene layers on the defective substrate;
• using spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and I-V measurements to characterise the samples and their properties;
• analysing data and creating figures with Python;
• attending research visits to collaborator’s facilities;
• disseminating results in international conferences;
• preparing manuscripts for peer-review publications.
  
  

Requirements

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:

• hold a Master’s degree in a natural science discipline, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits,
• or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way;
• be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills in English as well as excellent academic records;
• and have the personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Appointment as a graduate student requires that the holder is admitted or will be admitted to PhD studies, where the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral studies will be decisive.

Additional qualifications
A background in either Physics, Materials Science or equivalent is considered advantageous, along with hands-on experience with 2D materials, ultra-high vacuum systems and materials research with ion irradiation. Strong data analysis skills are essential.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Information about doctoral education, eligibility requirements and admission rules can be found on the web site of the Faculty of Technology.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1st of September 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Harriet Åhlgren, harriet.ahlgren@helsinki.fi, Gabriella Andersson, gabriella.andersson@physics.uu.se, or Daniel Primetzhofer, daniel.primetzhofer@physics.uu.se

About the application
Applications should include a brief description of your research interest and past research experience, a CV, copies of degrees, and a copy of your master’s thesis (or a draft thereof). The candidates are encouraged to provide letter(s) of recommendation and contact information of a reference person (such as supervisor of master’s thesis work).

Please submit your application by 2 May 2025, UFV-PA 2025/923

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.