PhD scholarship in Ultrafast Lasers and Frequency Comb – DTU Electro

The optical frequency comb has been a key enabling technique in photonics. It simultaneously combines ultra-broad optical bandwidth, and extreme resolutions in both time and frequency. These remarkable properties led to the Nobel Prize being awarded in 2005 for comb-enabled precision spectroscopy.

Instead of a single comb, we will explore dual-comb lasers to reach the targeted measurement parameters. A major challenge for dual-comb systems is overcoming the high complexity of traditional approaches using a pair of electronically locked modelocked lasers. The project will investigate single-cavity solutions  to overcome such issues. While doing so, we will further investigate the limits of such a technology as well.

Though most of the current technologies operate at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, there is a surge in mid-infrared and short-wave infrared applications. Thus, we want to advance this frequency comb technology towards longer wavelengths beyond 2 µm.

The research is well funded through Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond (DFF) Sapere Aude 2022 research grant.

Further opportunities during the PhD include the possibility to establish international collaboration with academic institute and industry, such as ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Tampere University and Reflekron (Finland).

Responsibilities and qualifications
The details, responsibilities and tasks will revolve around the project descriptions above. As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to numerical design, laser experiment, thorough characterization, and data analysis. Most importantly, you should be creative, well-organized, and highly motivated to work in ultrafast lasers, frequency combs, and laser sensing.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or related fields with outstanding grade. Lasers and solid-sate physics background are a plus. Excellent written and oral communication skills and English language skills are required.

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 applicants will be made by Assoc. Prof. Ajanta Barh  and Prof. Christian Pedersen . 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. 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.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Ajanta Barh .

You can read more about DTU Electro at https://electro.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 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 July 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 BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Contact details of two referees

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

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

DTU Electro has more than 300 employees with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. Research is performed within nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics, acoustics, power electronics, robotics, and autonomous systems.

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.