PhD Scholarship in Metal-organic Nanostructure Engineering for Photonics - DTU Chemistry

Do you want to support the production of advanced, well-defined nanostructure-based materials?

A 3-year PhD scholarship in Organic Chemistry and Photophysical studies is available starting from July 1, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are the most widely used inorganic nanoparticles for nanostructure-based materials. The synthetic engineering of organic ligands on the AuNPs leads to almost endless possibilities for tuning material properties (e.g. optical, electrochemical, photothermal, electronic, etc.), but an understanding of how ligand structure control the material properties is missing. 

Your role will be to design, synthesize, and characterization of new types of Au-organic nanostructures with engineered and optimised metal-molecule interaction. You will synthesize a broad range of organic ligands and will study their use in production of Au-organic nanostructures. You will next investigate their application in nano-plasmonics, nonlinear optics, molecular electronics chemical sensing, and/or photo-induced chemistry. Characterization will include the elucidation of structural and physical properties, optical response (Raman scattering, infrared absorption, etc.), electronic structure and charge transport – both at the ensemble and individual nanoparticle level. All synthetic work will take place at DTU Chemistry, while photophysical investigations will be performed at EPFL in Switzerland. Your work will have significant impacts on the understanding of AuNP chemistry and hybrid Au-organic photo-physics and will clarify the correlations between chemical and electronic structures and the ensuing nanostructure properties. You will actively disseminate your results in scientific articles and through participation in international conferences.

The project will be carried out as a collaboration between DTU Chemistry and EPFL, Switzerland, Laboratory of Quantum and Nano-Optics. You will be enrolled at DTU and spend a minimum of 6 months at EPFL.

Master in organic chemistry or physical chemistry or equivalent
We are looking for a profile who strives towards scientific excellence, are ambitious, independent, and hard working. You consider yourself among the brightest in your field and want to do science at the highest international level. Open-minded knowledge sharing and constructive teamwork are also key to the success. Additionally, your CV comprises:

• A master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar with focus on organic chemistry or physical chemistry
• Experience with organic synthesis is a requirement
• Experience in optical spectroscopy, surface science, or nanotechnology 
• Excellent language skills both written and spoken English

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be made by Assoc Prof Katrine Qvortrup and Prof Christophe Galland.

We offer
DTU and EPFL are two leading technical universities globally recognized for their excellence in research, education, and innovation. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. DTU and EPFL strive to be equal opportunity employers and a family-friendly universities. 

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is July 1, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Place of employment is DTU Lyngby campus – but you will spend a minimum of 6 months at EPFL in Switzerland. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information 
Further information about the project should be directed Assoc. Prof. Katrine Qvortrup, [email protected]  or Prof. Christophe Galland, [email protected].

You can read more about the department at www.kemi.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 30 May 2023 (Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Grade transcripts and Diploma (BSc/MSc)
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grade system – see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here .

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Chemistry
DTU Chemistry offers a PhD program with a comprehensive research education in modern chemistry. You will be in contact with international research communities and will be able to take part of your PhD study at a foreign research institution. You will be trained in dissemination of the world of chemistry and your own research as teaching assistant at the Department as well as presenter at scientific conferences and events for the general public and school students. You build skills and develop your knowledge in chemistry through participation in courses at DTU, other universities, research schools or summer schools.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.