Vacant job

Gothenburg University meets society's challenges with diverse knowledge. With 58,000 students and 6,800 employees, the university is a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education attract researchers and students from all over the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, Gothenburg University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Physics at Gothenburg University is located in central Gothenburg and has approximately 100 employees. Communication opportunities are good, both nationally and internationally. The research focuses on 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. The education at the department includes teaching at undergraduate and master's programs in physics, physics teacher education, and physics courses for the general public. Physics Centre 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 http://www.physics.gu.se (http://www.physics.gu.se). Further information about Physics Centre Gothenburg can be found at http://www.chalmers.se/sv/centrum/fysikcentrum/Sidor/default.aspx (http://www.chalmers.se/sv/centrum/fysikcentrum/Sidor/default.aspx).

Information about the research group

The research will be conducted in a group at Gothenburg University led by Giovanni Volpe. The group focuses on soft and active materials, optical tweezers, statistical physics, and machine learning.

Job Description

We are looking for a researcher at the Department of Physics at Gothenburg University. The successful candidate will work on constructing and optimizing optical tweezers and programming them to perform experiments autonomously.

Qualifications

Eligible for employment as a researcher is someone who has a Swedish doctoral degree or a foreign degree assessed as equivalent to a doctoral degree.

To apply for the position, you should have a doctoral degree, or equivalent, in physics or related subjects, as well as at least two years of postdoctoral experience.

Requirements

We are looking for a talented and motivated person who is eager to start a career in optical manipulation, focusing on developing smart optical tweezers that can be used to autonomously manipulate micro- and nanoparticles and measure forces acting on them.

Previous experience working in an optics lab with optical tweezers, machine learning, electronics, and programming is required. A strong background in micro- and nanomechanical force measurements, measurement electronics, experimental biophysics, and automation is crucial.

The candidate must be flexible and willing to work as part of a larger team, but also have the ability to work independently, as well as good communication skills in both written and spoken English.

Previously documented experience in developing advanced measurement methods and custom electronics is valuable, as is skill in designing, building, and refining optical setups.

Selection Criteria

In the assessment, special emphasis is placed on the documented qualifications mentioned above.

Employment

Employment type: Fixed-term employment, 12 months

Scope: 100%

Location: Department of Physics, Gothenburg

Start date: July 20, 2026, or as agreed

Application Procedure

Register your application electronically.

The application should include:

• A cover letter explaining why you are applying for the position
• A CV including scientific publications
• A copy of your degree certificate
• Two personal references (name, phone number, relationship)

Contact Information for the Position

If you have questions about the position, please contact

Giovanni Volpe, Professor, 031-786 9137, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Trade Unions

Trade union representatives at Gothenburg University can be found here: http://www.gu.se/omuniversitetet/aktuellt/lediga-jobb/fackliga-kontaktpersoner (http://www.gu.se/omuniversitetet/aktuellt/lediga-jobb/fackliga-kontaktpersoner)

Application

You apply for the position via Gothenburg University's recruitment portal by clicking the "Apply" button. As a candidate, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is submitted to the university no later than the last application date.

Application deadline: 2026-06-19

The university works actively for a working environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the operations. The university applies individual salary setting. According to the National Archives' regulations, the university is required to keep application documents for two years after the appointment decision. If you, as a candidate for employment, specifically request your documents back, they will be returned when the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be destroyed. To staffing and recruitment agencies and to you who are salespeople: Gothenburg University uses a procured advertising agency in connection with the recruitment of staff. We kindly but firmly decline direct contact from staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of job advertisements.