PhD Student in Physics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.For further information about the Department of Physics, please visit our website at www.physics.gu.se/english. More information about Gothenburg Physics Centre can be found at www.chalmers.se/en/centres/gpc/Pages/default.aspx. Information about the research group:

The research will be carried out in the group at the University of Gothenburg led by Giovanni Volpe. The group focuses on soft matter, optical tweezers, statistical physics and machine learning.

Job assignments

We are looking for a PhD student at the Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg. The applicant will:


• (possibility 1) Build and operate small robots to study swarm robotics with embedded intelligence. The task involves all stages of design, fabrication, testing and programming the robots for different experiments. The robot models (inspired by the Kilobots https://ssr.seas.harvard.edu/kilobots) are small programmable units capable of motion, short-range communications, neighbor detection and more.
• (possibility 2) Work with optical tweezers, optical manipulation, microfluidics.

Qualifications

To apply, you should have a master’s degree, or equivalent, in physics or in related disciplines. We are looking for someone with experience (possibly) in robotics, optical manipulation, holographic optical tweezers, microfluidics. We are looking for a motivated person who can work individually but at the same time have a good ability to collaborate with other researchers in this multidisciplinary collaboration. You should have a good ability to express yourself in both written and spoken English.

Previous experience with programming, robotics is an advantage. Previous practical projects involving electronics, robotics, control systems and/or experience in robot design and modelling are an advantage. For the first possibility, previous experience in simulating optical devices and physical systems is a major advantage. Previous experience with high performance code or deep learning is also an advantage. For the second possibility, documented experience with optical tweezers, optical manipulation and microfluidics is an advantage

Being a PhD is a 4-year full-time studies and leads to a Doctoral Degree. Those who are employed as doctoral students must primarily devote themselves to their doctoral education. However, a doctoral student may to a limited extent work with education, research and administration. Such work may, before the doctoral degree is completed, not cover more than 20 % of full-time work.

 

Assessment

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for education on a doctoral level are given in SFS 1993:100. Selection among applicants who meet the requirements for basic and special eligibility is based on the ability to assimilate the education at postgraduate level. In the assessment, special emphasis is placed on documented qualifications regarding:

- You should have a good ability to express yourself in both written and spoken English.

- You should be a motivated person who can work individually but at the same time have a good ability to collaborate with other researchers in this multidisciplinary collaboration.

In the assessment, special emphasis is placed on documented qualifications regarding robotics, optics. For the first possibility, basic knowledge of Python, C/C++ or other high performance, python compatible programming language is an advantage, as well as, importantly, hands-on experience with robotics and electronics. For the second possibility, documented experience with optical tweezers, optical manipulation and microfluidics is an advantage.

Employment

A new employment as a PhD student applies for a maximum of one year. The employment may be prolonged for up to two years at a time. The total employment period may not be longer than the equivalent of four years of full time doctoral studies.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 4 years full time
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Physics, Gothenburg
First day of employment:  1 June 2023, or as agreed

University applies a local salary agreement of graduate students.

Appointment procedure

Please apply online. The application shall include:

Cover letter with an explanation of why you apply for the position
CV including scientific publications
Copy of exam certificate
Two referees (name, telephone number, relation)

For further information regarding the position
Contact:
Giovanni Volpe, Professor, 031-786 9137, giovanni.volpe@physics.gu.se


Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg: http://www.gu.se/english/about_the_university/job-opportunities/union-representatives

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made based of the qualifications registered in the application.   

The application must be received no later than: 19 May 2023. 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.