The Department of Physics at Umeå University (https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-physics/) conducts strong research in condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, photonics, ultrafast spectroscopy, and theoretical and computational physics. We announce a PhD position within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK for the doctoral project ‘Spatiotemporal Hybrid Light–Matter States’.
Last day to apply is October 31, 2026.
The earliest starting date is February 2027, or by agreement.
Project description
The project will create spatiotemporal polaritons through ultrafast light–matter interactions in engineered metamaterial systems. The doctoral candidate will explore wide-bandgap semiconductors and high-quality excitonic or molecular emitters coupled to time-modulated gratings, with the goal of realizing hybrid light–matter states whose properties can be controlled on femtosecond timescales.
The research will combine ultrafast pump–push–probe experiments with sub-10 fs resolution, finite-element simulations, and quantum models extending the Tavis–Cummings Hamiltonian. The aim is to demonstrate coherent control of spatiotemporal polaritons and to design spatiotemporal metamaterial platforms supporting new forms of hybrid light–matter dynamics. The work combines nanophotonics, metamaterials, ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, and quantum optics.
The doctoral candidate position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network SPARK. The network offers a structured international training environment with research-specific and transferable-skills courses, workshops, conferences, and network-wide events. The project includes a 6-month research secondment at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain, where theoretical skills will be developed, and a 3-month industrial secondment at Ultrafast Innovations GmbH in Germany.
The doctoral project will be carried out at Umeå University under the supervision of Associate Professor Nicolò Maccaferri. The candidate will also benefit from co-supervision and mentoring by Associate Professor Paloma Arroyo Huidobro at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and from an industrial mentor at Ultrafast Innovations GmbH. The position provides the opportunity to work in a stimulating, multidisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European training network.
Competence requirements
To fulfil the general entry requirements, the applicant must have qualifications equivalent to a completed degree at advanced level (second-cycle), or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits including at least 60 ECTS credits at advanced level. To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted to doctoral studies in experimental physics, the applicant is required to have completed courses within the field of physics comprising at least 120 credits.
Applicants should have a Master’s degree, or equivalent, in physics, applied physics, optics/photonics, materials science, nanoscience, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
English fluency, both written and spoken, is mandatory. A documented background in photonics, nanophotonics, ultrafast optics, condensed matter physics, quantum optics, exciton–polaritons, light–matter interaction, numerical simulations, or quantum modelling is meritorious.
Willingness to work in an inter-cultural, international, and diverse group, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team, are fundamental.
The applicant must meet the MSCA eligibility and mobility requirements: the candidate must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment.
Terms of employment
The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree, and the main assignment for the doctoral student is to take part in research education, including participation in the described research project and relevant courses. Teaching and other departmental work, up to a maximum of 20%, may be included.
The salary follows the established salary level for doctoral students at Umeå University. The position is funded for 36 months through the MSCA Doctoral Network SPARK, with a salary corresponding to at least the MSCA level (approximately 33 100 SEK gross per month), with the possibility of additional MSCA allowances for mobility and accompanying family members. Funding for the remainder of the employment period is provided from other sources. Employment conditions and additional benefits for employees according to applicable regulations.
The employment is limited to four years at full-time or up to five years if teaching and other departmental work is performed. The employment starts in February 2027 or according to agreement.
The application
The application should contain:
- A cover letter with a summary of research interests and motivation (max. 1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Certified copies of relevant degree certificate(s) translated to English or Swedish.
- Transcripts with grades, with English or Swedish translation. Note that for international applicants the grading system should be explained in brief.
- Copies of student theses and publications (if any).
- Names and contact information of at least one reference person.
You apply via our e-recruitment system Varbi.
The deadline for applications is October 31, 2026.
Log in and submit your application via the button at the bottom of the page. All application documents must be uploaded in PDF format and should be written in English (preferred) or Swedish.
More information
For further information, contact the Principal Investigator of the project, Associate Professor Nicolò Maccaferri, nicolo.maccaferri@umu.se.
We look forward to receiving your application!