PhD Candidate in Atomic-scale Control of Single-molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy (1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,443 - € 3,122
• Faculty of Science
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 22 May 2022

With leading research into fundamental physics, we can answer important questions about the world of today and tomorrow. This requires curious individuals who want to push the experimental boundaries of science with their talent and expertise. As a PhD Candidate at the Scanning Probe Microscopy department, you get to explore the future of nanoelectronics with our state-of-the-art facilities. 

The goal of this PhD project is to investigate how single-molecule fluorescence is altered by local electric field, and how this can be utilised towards an atomic-scale charge probe. In optical spectroscopy, the Stark effect is a well-known response of a molecule exposed to electric fields. The Stark effect also occurs at the nanoscale, where it is less well understood due to lack of atomic-scale control of the local environment. This project will make use of a combination of molecular beam epitaxy, single-molecule/atom deposition and atomic manipulation techniques to create a fully atomic-scale controlled experiment where individual charges exert an electric field on a single molecule. The main tools of investigation will be low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS), as well as STM-induced light emission (STM-LE).

You are a motivated and open-minded candidate who will investigate the submolecularly resolved Stark effect for various molecules. You will grow ultrathin films of insulating materials on various metal substrates using MBE techniques, followed by low-temperature deposition of single atoms and molecules. You will build a nanoscopic experiment by manipulating atoms and molecules in well-defined geometries and study the electronic and optical responses using STS and STM-LE.

You will not only push the state of knowledge of the Stark effect into the quantum regime, but you will eventually be able to apply this towards realising a novel kind of nanoscopic charge probe. You will join a young and innovative team of experienced researchers and technicians and work with cutting-edge UHV-based cryogenic SPM facilities, and you will enjoy hands-on experience in carrying out the experiments, both independently and in a team. Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your appointment.

For more information on the topics within this PhD project, you can read the following articles:
D. Wegner et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 087205 (2009).
B. Kiraly et al., Nat. Commun. 9, 3904 (2018).
T.-C. Hung et al., Nano Lett. 21, 5006 (2021).

Profile

• You hold a Master's degree in physics, which you obtained on the basis of a Master's thesis on an experimental research topic. 
• You have a good command of written and spoken English.
• You are willing to further develop your scientific communication skills through presentations and publications.
• You have a strong interest in condensed matter physics and/or molecular physics.

We are

You will join the Scanning Probe Microscopy department (SPM) and also contribute to the department of Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Correlated Materials at the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM). The SPM department has many international scientists and students. We host world-class SPM instruments and utilise SPM techniques beyond the state of the art to study numerous problems in fundamental physics and chemistry. Our expertise focuses on high-precision magnetic and electronic imaging as well as STM-induced light emission of single atoms and molecules in cryogenic ultrahigh vacuum environments and in magnetic fields, often related to single-atom manipulation. IMM is one of the major research institutes of the Faculty of Science at Radboud University. IMM is a research institute in chemistry and physics, which fosters interdisciplinary research. Its mission is to design and create functional molecules and materials to fundamentally understand their behaviour. The institute comprises 19 research groups in areas ranging from condensed matter science to organic chemistry and biochemistry. IMM focuses on fundamental research with an open eye for societal applications and educates the next generation of leaders in science and innovation. IMM distinguishes itself from similar institutes by close collaborations and rich interactions between chemists and physicists and/or experimentalists and theorists, and an excellent infrastructure including scanning probe laboratories, laser labs, a magnetic resonance research centre, high field magnet laboratory and free electron laser laboratory (HFML-FELIX).

The Faculty of Science is a complete, student-oriented science faculty where research and education are closely intertwined. The faculty aims to form an academic community with an international character, where staff members from different backgrounds can combine their talents with the common goal of being among the leading science faculties in Europe.
Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!
We offer

• Employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,443 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,122 in the fourth year (salary scale P ).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Dr Daniel Wegner, Assistant Professor at +31 24 365 31 38 or [email protected] . Alternatively, you can contact Joyce van Dijk-Janssen, Management Assistant at +31 24 365 21 21 or [email protected] .

Practical information and applications
You can apply until 22 May 2022, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Dr Daniel Wegner. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation including a scientific statement why you want to do your PhD at the SPM department.
• Your CV including the names and contact details of two academic referees.

The first round of interviews will take place mid June and/or early July. They will take place online. You would preferably begin employment on 1 September 2022 (or earlier).
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