PhD candidate in Nanomaterials: developing luminescent nanocrystal layers for spectral shaping

The PhD project in which you will be participating aims to develop highly efficient fluorescent nanocrystals for sunlight spectral shaping applications.

What are you going to do?

The Aim of your project is to develop fluorescent nanocrystal layers for spectral shaping, to enhance photosynthetic efficiency. Recent nanoscience breakthroughs allow the synthesis of fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals with near-unity quantum yield, offering great opportunities as spectral shapers to convert the solar spectrum to the needs of agricultural crops and algae. At the same time, substantial knowledge is available on the effect of (artificial) lighting on the growth of algae. In this project, we combine both worlds and develop light-shaping nanocrystal foils with possible photonic outcoupling to investigate their potential for algal yield enhancement. The research will be carried out in an inspiring interdisciplinary collaboration, in the nanocrystal and optics labs of Prof. P. Schall at UvA, and Algae Parc at Wageningen University.

You will develop and synthesize highly efficient semiconductor nanocrystals with the desired absorption/emission spectrum, especially recent lead-halide perovskites and related 2D perovskite nanocrystals, and evaluate their optical performance. The nanocrystals will be embedded into optically characterised polymer layers, optimised for best performance. One possible route is to design an outcoupling structure, through modelling and fabrication, to extract the light that is internally trapped in the layers. To achieve the desired light spectrum, a combination of NCs will be employed to convert UV/blue light (350-460 nm) to yellow and red (560-680 nm), which are considered the most effectively used by microalgae for photochemical conversion. The combination of different emitters with partially overlapping spectra requires consideration of their energy transfer, ensuring efficient light absorption and emission. Furthermore, since overheating is a common problem for algal cultivation, including IR-blocking nanoparticles can be explored to protect the culture from this part of the solar spectrum.

Once a suitable system has been developed, it will be thoroughly characterized optically and tested in lab-scale algae cultivation systems to evaluate its impact on algae yields. This evaluation is done in collaboration with Algae Park (Wageningen University), as well as with Prof. J. Huisman (UvA), using in-house algae labs. Together with the algae experts, the spectral light components will be related to growth rates in algae cultivation, which will in turn be used to optimize the nanocrystals properties for best algae yields.

You will:

• Work in the lively Quantum Materials group at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the UvA, in the group of Prof. Schall, in collaboration with Wageningen University (WUR).
• Use the synthesis and optical lab infrastructure at IoP to synthesize and characterize efficient, stable (perovskite) nanocrystals, and develop photonic design for enhanced outcoupling.
• Participate in the exciting EU project collaboration with Wageningen AlgaeParc and partners in Germany and Morocco to test the developed nanocrystal layers in algae cultivation for biofuels.

Your profile

You have:

• A Master degree in Physical Chemistry, Material Science, Physics or a related field with a focus on (perovskite) nanocrystals or luminescent nanomaterials.

• Experience in the following fields: Perovskite nanocrystal synthesis, Photoluminescence, Photonics, fluorescent nanocrystals.

You should be able to:

• Work at the interface between Material Science, Optics, and Biology, combining nanocrystal synthesis with optical characterization and applications to biology;
• Collaborate and adapt in an international team and possess excellent communication skills in oral and written English.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,541 to € 3,247 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on full-time) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow free courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here .

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the Faculty of Science combines the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI), the Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITFA) and the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEF) and is one of the large research institutes of the faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The Quantum Materials group at the WZI is a vibrant group combining diverse quantum and energy materials, including, among others, semiconductor nanocrystals and 2D materials.

AlgaePark at Wageningen University is a unique research facility on algae cultivation in the Netherlands, offering research from lab to application scale. Deep research experience, e.g. on the effect of light colour on algae growth is available. The algae group of Prof. Jef Huisman is part of the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) at UvA, researching ecosystems from microorganism to global scale.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Prof. Peter Schall, e-mail [email protected] .

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 31 August 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file ):

• A detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• A letter of motivation;
• A list of university grades;
• Contact details of two academic referees (who will be contacted when shortlisted)

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines )

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The selection process commences immediately, but will close when suitable candidates have been found. Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with. (Formal closing date: 31st of August, 2024.)

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please