PhD Position in Material Physics

The research conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University covers a wide range of physics topics, distributed across nine divisions.

The department is located in the Ångström Laboratory and employs nearly 400 people, of which about 100 are PhD students. It offers a broad physics curriculum for undergraduate and graduate students, participation in nationally and internationally leading projects for researchers, as well as opportunities for partnerships with industry and various outreach activities.

Learn more about the department here (https://www.uu.se/institution/fysik-och-astronomi).

Within the Division of Material Physics, the research is primarily experimental and focused on understanding how the structure and composition of materials relate to physical properties across multiple length scales – from atomic level to macroscopic. Core areas include magnetic materials, hydrogen, energy materials, soft materials, and interactions between ions and solids.

Learn more about the research here (https://www.uu.se/institution/fysik-och-astronomi/forskning/materialfysik).

About the Project

Future generations of information processing components need to be built in new and more energy-efficient ways. In the field of spintronics, the goal is to achieve this by utilizing the spin of electrons to store and process information. For this technology to be practically useful, we need new energy-efficient methods to influence magnetic materials. The methods should not require strong electric currents to create the magnetic fields that control the components. There are two promising ways to achieve this: magnetoelectric methods to directly change magnetization with an electric field, or using a spin-polarized current to switch the magnetization direction.

This fully funded PhD position is part of the MAESTRO project, funded by the Swedish Research Council. The project focuses on using magneto-ionic elements to control magnetism, creating an indirect link between an applied electric voltage and the magnetic properties, thus allowing for reconfiguration of a component while in use. The goal is to embed solid electrolyte layers in thin-film structures to create a compact component where ions can be moved back and forth between the electrolyte and a nearby magnetic layer using an applied voltage.

The PhD student will investigate how this electrochemical technique can be used to improve switching through spin transfer in magnetic layers. Relevant properties will be studied using measurements of electron transport and optical methods. There will be opportunities to work at two major research facilities that the Division of Material Physics is responsible for: the Tandem Laboratory in Uppsala for material analysis using ion beam methods, and the neutron reflectometer SuperADAM at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France.

Responsibilities

The PhD student will be responsible for the fabrication, development, and characterization of model systems and prototype components. This involves using various experimental techniques at the laboratories in Uppsala, including but not limited to:

• Sample fabrication using vacuum-based deposition methods (physical vapor deposition)
• Fabrication of micro-wire components using cleanroom processes
• Magnetic characterization, including imaging of magnetic domains with Kerr microscopy
• Structural characterization using X-ray radiation, ion beams at the Tandem Laboratory, and synchrotron-based techniques (at large research facilities)

Some of the characterization work may require the development or modification of experimental setups. Travel to neutron or synchrotron facilities may be required.

The PhD student's responsibilities also include data analysis, writing scientific articles for publication in international journals, and giving research presentations in national and international contexts.

Qualifications

Eligible for doctoral education is someone who has

• completed a master's degree in physics, engineering, or materials science, or
• completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits, or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way.

The ability to communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing, is a requirement, as well as the personal qualities needed to fully perform the tasks.

Desirable/meritorious

A suitable educational background includes approved courses in condensed matter physics, materials science, or similar fields. Previous experience or knowledge of magnetic materials, electrochemistry, or thin-film physics is meritorious, as well as prior practical experience with vacuum systems, cleanroom processes, or magnetic characterization methods.

Regulations for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 and at this link (https://www.uu.se/medarbetare/organisation-styrning/regler/).

About the Employment

The employment is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date 2026-03-01 or by agreement. Place of employment: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Gabriella Andersson, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

In this recruitment, we have replaced the personal letter with questions that you answer in connection with your application. The answers will be used as part of the selection process.

Welcome with your application no later than January 14, 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3613.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at Uppsala University (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The employment may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment during security clearance is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]