Postdoc in fabrication and applications of optical metasurfaces

State-of-the-art multifunctional metasurfaces are looking to replace traditional optical components in many applications that require advanced light-structuring and miniaturization. Join a team with decades of experience in nanophotonics and contribute to a project that is looking to revolutionize miniature light sources with unique integrated metasurfaces for paradigm-shifting applications in biophotonics and beyond. If you enjoy generating ideas supported by modeling and calculations, appreciate the elegant beauty of nanofabrication, and thirst for the satisfaction of seeing your predictions come to life in the lab, this position is for you!

Project description
This postdoc project focuses on fabrication, analysis, and applications of dielectric optical metasurfaces. You will join an ongoing project focused on the development of GaAs vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) integrated with optical metasurfaces and engage in developing applications based on this technology, in particular within the biophotonics field (e.g. in bioimaging and biosensing). The Bionanophotonics group, lead by Professor Mikael Käll, has been engaged in advanced nanophotonics research since more than twenty years and is well-known for contributions to fields like plasmonics, surface-enhanced spectroscopy, optical manipulation, and metasurfaces.

Major responsibilities
Generating conceptually new ways to manipulate light emitted by on-chip light sources;
Designing optical metasurfaces to achieve state-of-the-art level of light control by modeling and calculations;
Translating the metasurface designs into fabrication-friendly patterns using common programming languages such as Matlab and Python;
Fabricating the metasurfaces in a clean-room environment following known processes (EBL, RIE);
Fabrication quality control and troubleshooting;
Exploring new fabrication processes for superior structural precision, accuracy, and complexity;
Building and maintaining an optical setup for metasurface analysis and applications;
Analyzing the optical performance of the metasurfaces or devices with metasurfaces;

You will learn to fabricate metasurfaces using electron-beam lithography, optimize metasurfaces using simulation tools such as COMSOL, and you will participate in the development of proof-of-principle metasurface devices. You will work in a team of students and senior researchers with competences ranging from VCSEL fabrication to biophotonics applications.

Qualifications
The applicant should have a PhD degree in physics, optics, nanoscience, or a related subject area, with a focus on experimental nanophotonics. To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). 

The applicant should have experience in advanced optical analysis and clean-room fabrication of nanophotonic structures. Experience with electrodynamics simulation software, such as Lumerical or Comsol Multiphysics, is meritorious.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years, with possible extension for one more year.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220685 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Application deadline: February 28, 2023

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Mikael Käll
Email: mikael.kall@chalmers.se 
Phone: +46 31-772 31 19,

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 





Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!