PhD fellowship in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics

The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Neutron scattering studies of unconventional superconductors, including development of the BIFROST neutron spectrometer at ESS. The project is part of the ESS Lighthouse project in Magnetism and Quantum Materials “QMAT”, which is financed by the Danish National Committee for Research Infrastructure (NUFI).

Start date is expected to be 1 February 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
The overall aim of the project is to investigate the connection between superconductivity and lattice/magnetic structure and dynamics in the superconducting material. The project involves performing neutron experiments at leading instruments worldwide, The strength of the neutron scattering signals from these material types is inherently weak. For this reason, the project will also have much focus on understanding and improving neutron scattering set-ups. This is particularly relevant for background-sensitive experiments at high pressures. In addition, the project includes design, simulation, and commissioning of the neutron spectrometer BIFROST at ESS. This spectrometer is presently under construction and will be commissioned by the supervisor group towards the end of the PhD project.

The project will involve characterization and selection of single crystal samples with magnetization and X-ray diffraction, and neutron scattering experiments at low temperatures, high magnetic fields, and applied pressure, based at international neutron scattering facilities. Muon spin rotation methods and polarized neutron techniques might be included as well. The neutron instrumentation work takes place at ESS and by the use of the neutron simulation program McStas. The project further involves data analysis and interaction with the instrumentation group at the ESS as well as the theoretical physics group at the Niels Bohr Institute.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field of experimental Condensed Matter Physics. We are seeking an outstanding student to explore the magnetic properties of unconventional superconductors using advanced microscopic measurement methods, such as elastic and inelastic neutron scattering. Ideal applicants will have a background from Experimental Physics, preferably with some experience in scattering techniques and/or instrumentation.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The Q-MAT collaboration invoves around 40 PI’s at 6 Danish universities, of which 4 are located at the Niels Bohr Institute. In total, the NBI groups participating in Q-MAT comprises around 15 PhD students and post docs, and at a similar number of Msc and Bsc students.

The groups are a part of the larger condensed-matter section within the Niels Bohr Institute, which comprises materials research, experimental solid-state physics, quantum nanoelectronics, and condensed matter theory. The section provides a vibrant scientific environment with cutting-edge research performed across many different groups in fundamental condensed matter physics, with a particularly strong linkage between materials, experiment, and theory. Further information can be found at www.nbi.dk .

The section is a part of the Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and access to large-scale international research facilities.

Principal supervisor is Professor Kim Lefmann, Niels Bohr Institute, Email: [email protected] , Direct Phone: +45 29250476

Co-supervisors are Senior Scientist Niels Bech Christensen, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Email: [email protected]   and  Senior Scientist Rasmus Toft-Petersen, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Email: [email protected] .

The PhD programme

Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.

Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Physics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Salary range starts at DKK 27,588.59 per month incl. PhD supplement (1 October 2021 level).

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database . 

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For this particular project, it would be an advantage that the majority of the 60 ECTS has been passed already before starting. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd , “Study Structures”.

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of at least 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is DKK 6,243.
Salary is DKK 221.34 per working hour (+ 12.5% holiday pay).(1 October 2021 level)

When you have obtainedtheMSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure. Salary range starts at DKK 27,568.13 per month incl. PhD supplement.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme

 (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications, if applicable
• Relevant work experience, preferably within experimental physics
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in experimental condensed matter physics and instrumentation
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 7 November 2021, 23:59 GMT + 2. 

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert panel. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The panel will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The panel will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in December 2021. 

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ .

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.