PhD Position in Spintronics

University of Gothenburg meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. 58,000 students and 6,800 employees make the university a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University of Gothenburg contributes to a better future.

The Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg is located in central Gothenburg and has about 100 employees. Communication opportunities are good, both nationally and internationally. Research is focused on the subjects of atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, spintronics, complex systems, and biophysics, and is conducted in an international environment with extensive national and international collaborations. Education at the department includes teaching in undergraduate and master's programs in physics, physics in teacher education, and courses in physics aimed at the general public. The Physics Center in Gothenburg, a close collaboration with three other departments within the Faculty of Science and Chalmers University of Technology, creates an innovative environment for all the department's researchers and students.

More information about the activities at the Department of Physics can be found at www.physics.gu.se (http://www.physics.gu.se). Further information about the Gothenburg Physics Center can be found at www.chalmers.se/en/centers/physics-center (http://www.chalmers.se/en/centers/physics-center).

University-wide information about what it means to be a PhD student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's PhD pages www.gu.se/en/education-to-become-a-researcher (http://www.gu.se/en/education-to-become-a-researcher).

Information about the Research Group

Spintronics is one of the department's major research areas, led by Professor Johan Åkerman's research group. The group studies magnetodynamic phenomena, spin and orbital angular momentum, nanolithography of spintronic components, and the fundamental physics of spin waves and spintronic oscillators. An important focus is to utilize these phenomena for unconventional computing hardware, including neuromorphic systems, reservoir computing, and Ising machines. The group is currently leading a project funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) through a Council Professorship grant, focusing on next-generation spintronic components for unconventional computing. To strengthen these efforts, the department is seeking a PhD student to contribute to the foundations and algorithms for oscillator network computing with spatial and temporal multiplexing.

Job Responsibilities

The PhD student will study fundamental theory and algorithms for oscillator networks with spatial and temporal multiplexing as a computing platform. The project includes modeling coupled nonlinear dynamical systems, developing learning and inference methods for neuromorphic computing and reservoir computing, as well as Ising-like computational models, and systematic evaluations of scalability and robustness against noise and variations under realistic hardware constraints. A central part of the project is scientific programming: developing simulation and analysis tools, testing and validating algorithmic ideas against the properties of the group's oscillators, and participating in the analysis of experimental data. The PhD student will closely collaborate with the group's experimental activities to create clear feedback between theory, algorithm development, and measurements.

Experience and Qualifications

• Modeling and analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems and coupled oscillator networks
• Scientific programming for simulation, data analysis, and reproducible workflows (e.g., Python/Julia/Matlab/C++)
• Machine learning-inspired methods for reservoir/neuromorphic computing and optimization (e.g., Ising and QUBO formulations)
• Analysis of experimental data (signal processing, parameter extraction, and uncertainty and noise analysis) and the ability to work effectively in close collaboration with experimental researchers

The selected candidate will work closely with other PhD students and postdocs and contribute to both the planning of experiments and the interpretation of measurement data. The work also includes publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting research at international scientific conferences.

Doctoral education consists of four years of full-time study and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your PhD employment, you may have departmental duties amounting to a maximum of 20% of full-time distributed throughout the entire study period, which will generate a corresponding extension of the study time. Departmental duties usually include teaching at the undergraduate and advanced levels, but research and administration may also be included.

Application

Complete information about admission, qualifications, evaluation criteria, and eligibility requirements, as well as how to apply for the PhD position, can be found in the full advertisement at www.gu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions (http://www.gu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions).

You apply for admission to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

The application must be submitted no later than: February 22, 2026

The university actively works for a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the organization.

The university applies individual salary setting.

According to the National Archives' regulations, the university is obliged to store application documents for two years after the appointment decision. If you, as an applicant for a position, specifically request the return of your documents, they will be returned after the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be discarded.

To staffing and recruitment companies and to you as a seller: The University of Gothenburg engages an approved advertising agency in connection with the recruitment of staff. We kindly but firmly decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of job advertisements.