Doctoral position in Plasmonic Nanophotonics

PhD student in Plasmonic Nanophotonics
The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 270 employees and has a turnover of 300 million SEK. At the department's six programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website. 

Subject Description
This PhD project focuses on the development and characterization of advanced plasmonic nanocoatings aimed at reducing overheating in buildings and improving overall energy efficiency. The coatings are designed to selectively reflect infrared solar radiation while remaining transparent to visible light, thereby lowering cooling demands without sacrificing natural daylight. As an innovation project with direct application, the research is closely tied to real-world needs and will involve both fundamental materials science and applied development. The project integrates nanomaterials synthesis, optical and thermal characterization, and performance evaluation under realistic conditions, with the goal of creating scalable, cost-effective coatings suitable for use in sustainable architecture. The work will contribute to next-generation building technologies that support urban climate adaptation and energy-efficient construction, both in new builds and retrofitting scenarios.

Duties
The PhD candidate will carry out research in the field of plasmonic nanomaterials for energy-efficient building applications. The work will involve both fundamental studies and applied development, with a strong emphasis on real-world implementation. Specific responsibilities include:

• Synthesis of nanostructured materials, including plasmonic and composite coatings designed for optical and thermal regulation.
• Formulation development and optimization for applying coatings to building-relevant surfaces, ensuring compatibility with practical deployment.
• Characterization of materials using a range of structural, optical, and thermal techniques (e.g., SEM, AFM, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, XPS, IR thermography).
• Ultrafast spectroscopy to investigate nanoscale photonic properties and light–matter interactions in plasmonic systems.
• Performance testing of coatings under both controlled laboratory conditions and simulated or real environmental settings (e.g., sunlight exposure, façade installation).
• Data analysis and interpretation, with active contributions to scientific publications, presentations, and potential intellectual property.
• Sustainability assessment, supporting the evaluation of energy efficiency and environmental impact to align with sustainable development goals.
• Collaboration within a multidisciplinary research team, including participation in meetings, documentation of progress, and communication with academic and industry partners.

The project offers the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge materials research with direct societal relevance, contributing to the development of next-generation sustainable building technologies.

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

• have a master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field, 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
• acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

The candidate must have:

• demonstrated knowledge and experience in plasmonics and nanophotonics.
• hands-on experience with laboratory techniques for materials synthesis and analytical methods.
• strong motivation for interdisciplinary research and innovation, with an interest in sustainability and green technologies.
• excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Additional qualifications

• experience in nanomaterials synthesis and characterization
• proficiency with spectroscopic techniques (e.g., UV-Vis, Raman, DLS, XPS)
• familiarity with imaging techniques (e.g., SEM, AFM)
• programming skills (e.g., Python) for data analysis
• previous research related to nanophotonics and ultrafast spectroscopy
• experience in projects bridging academia and industry

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2025-10-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala, Department of Chemistry – Ångström.

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

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Jacinto Sá, jacinto.sa@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application by 5 September 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2319.