Doctoral scholarship holder, Nonlinear Optics of Bistable Molecules and One-Dimensional Arrays

Department: Department of Physics
Regime Full-time

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp  is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Department of Physics, research group NANOrOPT in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Nonlinear Optics of Bistable Molecules and One-Dimensional Arrays

This position is financed in the framework of a research project funded by the Fund for Scientific Research – Flanders (FWO)

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis in the field of Nonlinear Optics of Bistable Molecules and One-Dimensional Arrays: in this project you will elaborate, and ultimately combine, two breakthrough concepts in molecular (organic) nonlinear optics (NLO) of which proof-of-principle experiments have recently been performed by the NANOrOPT group: (1) Spontaneous symmetry breaking in a priori symmetric molecules can lead to extremely large 2nd order NLO responses. This yields an entirely new route towards the design of NLO systems, but also forms an excellent model system to investigate (by 2nd order light scattering) the effect of spontaneous symmetry breaking, including its dynamics, which can also provide important insights on the general concept of resonance and conjugation in organic molecules. (2) Elongated dipolar molecules naturally form head-to-tail aligned 1D arrays inside carbon nanotubes, resulting in coherent addition of their NLO responses. This solves the classical problem of organic nonlinear optics, that dipolar molecules tend to align in a pairwise antiparallel way in a bulk (3D) material, cancelling out each other's NLO responses. Besides elaborating this idea, you will also pursue its ambitious combination with the former concept and create coupled 1D arrays of electronically bistable molecules, to create purely organic ferroelectric systems with a large, and switchable NLO response.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for research group NANOrOPT.

Profile

• You hold a degree of Master in Physics or Engineer in a related field, or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are very motivated for experimental scientific research and you wish to prepare a PhD thesis in this area of research.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship with salary for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another three years, depending on funding and results.
• You will learn state-of-the-art preparation and optical/laser-spectroscopic characterisation techniques available at UA, including NLO characterisation using a worldwide unique setup for second harmonic light scattering with widely tuneable laser wavelength. You will also contribute to the further development of these techniques.
• The planned start date is as soon as possible.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts  for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. You will be supervised by W. Wenseleers, and benefit from interactions within a highly multidisciplinary team, as well as from the wide network of collaborations of the host group.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

 Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 16 november 2022 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV, as well as contact information of any references and academic results of your last degree.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Wim Wenseleers ([email protected] ). Check out the website of NANOrOPT  for more information on the research group. (www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/nanoropt/)

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.