About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Materials Science available at Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), Department of Physics, University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is 3 years. 

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Starting date no later than October 1, 2025

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Jobb description

Quantum technologies are expected to enable disruptive and advanced future applications. The goal of this project is to functionalize ultra-bright quantum emitters motivated by future applications in quantum sensing and secure photonic communication. To realize such devices, we need to reveal fundamental knowledge on the role of interface properties and how to control these. The best model system for such studies is quantum emitters in silicon carbide.

In this project, we target a unique and intriguing defect system: ultra-bright quantum emitters at the interface between silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). Importantly, the quantum properties of these novel bright emitters remain largely unexplored, as their microscopic origin is unknown and integration with electrical and photonic devices is missing. We aim to improve the understanding of the SiO2-SiC interface, determine formation mechanisms for interface defects, and identify the defect(s) responsible for the optical signals.

In this PhD Research Fellowship, we seek a candidate who will take part in the development of semiconductor interfaces for QT applications. The work of the PhD Research Fellow will mainly be of experimental character, and in particular related to sample fabrication, oxide growth, and optical characterization, as well as fabrication of test structures. 

Relevant tasks may be a combination of: 

• Optimization of SiO2 growth process on SiC
• Characterization of SiO2-SiC interface
• Optical characterization of quantum emitters at SiO2-SiC interface
• Fabrication of simple electronic and nanophotonic devices
• Use of large facilities (e.g., muon beamlines) for depth resolved studies of semiconductor interfaces

The PhD Research Fellowship is funded by the Norwegian Research Council as part of the ground-breaking project “Towards Scalable Quantum Technologies” (TASQ). The aim is to develop semiconductor materials and devices for future generation quantum technology, with a particular emphasis on quantum sensors for the green transition.

The PhD Research Fellow will be closely knit with the supervisor’s other projects and activities, and in several cases work in a larger team with colleagues at the University of Oslo and partners internationally. 

The PhD Research Fellow will be affiliated with the semiconductor physics group LENS (Light and electricity from novel Semiconductors) with around 50 highly dedicated professors, researchers, postdocs, PhD fellows, engineers, admin and master students. The research group has an excellent infrastructure covering chemical, structural, optical and electrical characterization methods, device fabrication and simulations. The infrastructure includes the Micro- and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MiNaLab) with a clean room area in excess of 400 m2 with a multitude of modern fabrication and characterization facilities.

The LENS group is part of the Physics Department and the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology. SMN is an interdisciplinary collaboration between five research groups in physics and chemistry, and spearheads the MN faculty’s efforts for sustainable energy solutions. The Centre comprises UiO’s focus on renewable energy, materials science, and nanotechnology.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in physics or materials science

• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

  Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2025 to complete the final exam.

• Solid background in semiconductor physics including experience with semiconductor processing or characterization
• Strong data analysis skills
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the National security regulation

Desired qualifications

Two or more of the following:

• Well-documented experience with processing in a cleanroom facility
• Experience with material growth and structural characterization 
• Experience with semiconductor interfaces and interface characterization
• Experience with optical characterization of semiconductors, particularly using luminescence spectroscopy (or related techniques)
• Experience with quantum emitter characterization, such as photon correlation measurements
• Experience with experimental data analysis using, e.g., Origin or MatLab
• Programming skills, e.g. proficient with Labview or Python

Grade requirements

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

Language requirements

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/EEA/EFTA countries and exemptions from the requirements

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:

Doctoral degree: PhD at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Personal skills

• We seek a candidate who is flexible, good at taking initiative and has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Having to work in a setting with many co-workers, we seek a candidate who enjoys working in a team 

We offer

• Salary NOK 536 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

How to apply

Your application should include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Up to one letter of recommendation from a direct supervisor/mentor (optional)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee 
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
• Applicants who are interested in teaching need to add to this application a description of their motivation for and (if any) experience with teaching 

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

• Researcher Marianne Etzelmüller Bathen, phone: +47 99107859, email: m.e.bathen@fys.uio.no

For questions regarding recruitment system Jobbnorge, please contact:

• HR advisor Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

Apply for the position