Doctoral students in Physics with focus on attosecond physics

Description of the workplace

The research at the Division of Atomic Physics is centered on different applications of optics and lasers, including atomic and molecular physics with ultrashort light pulses, high-intensity laser-plasma physics, quantum information, and biophotonics. The Division operates the High-Power Laser Facility, including several advanced femtosecond laser systems and collaborate with several free electron laser facilities. It is a central part of a major interdisciplinary research environment within the Lund University, the Lund Laser Centre, LLC. The division is also heavily involved in undergraduate education, especially within the Photonics programme.

Work duties

At the division, research is performed on the generation and application of extremely short light pulses, in the attosecond and extreme ultraviolet range. The activities span from ultrafast laser technology and extreme nonlinear optics to studies of the electron dynamics in atoms and molecules as well as more complex systems using attosecond light pulses. The division of Atomic Physics is now looking for two PhD students for the projects described below.

Two projects are founded through a Marie Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network:

Quantum information science and ultrafast nonlinear control at the attosecond timescale – QU-ATTO

This means that the positions come with some additional constraints and possibilities. The candidates recruited for these positions cannot have worked in Sweden for the last 5 years to be eligible. The positions come with a training network in Europe together with 15 PhD students in different countries. It will also include secondment at another university or in industry for a few months.

The first project is in collaboration with the free-electron laser facility FERMI in Italy. The name of the project is: Direct sub-cycle probing of the phase shift induced by two-photon Rabi cycling in helium and aims to control XUV light generated with a free-electron laser to produce attosecond pulses and to demonstrate coherent control of electronic dynamics in a two-photon absorption process.

The second project is called: Tomographic reconstruction of entangled quantum states in photoionization. This project aims to further improve the technique developed in Lund for the reconstruction of the density matrix of photoelectrons created by absorption of ultrashort XUV pulses by atoms and molecules. This project will be done mainly in-house. 

In both projects, there will be a close collaboration with different theory groups. 

The third project is outside the European network and is open to everyone. Characterization of an entangled pair of photoelectrons: The project consists in studying the quantum state of a pair of photoelectrons, which are created by absorption of attosecond light pulses. Methods for the measurement of the quantum properties of the two-electron wave-packet will be developed. The project, which lies at the border of attosecond physics and quantum information, includes both theory and experiment. 

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics if he or she has:

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or 
• a MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• The student should have a background in optics/photonics and/or atomic physics/quantum mechanics.

Assessment criteria

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other assessment criteria

Experience in some of the following areas is a qualification for all the projects:

• Femtoscond lasers and ultrafast optics
• High-order harmonic generation and attosecond physics
• Free-electron experiments
• Programming, data analysis, vacuum technique, and mechanical design

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

As a doctoral student in the EU project QU-ATTO, you will be part of a European network with 15 doctoral students and receive a customized education where you will participate in various summer schools and network meetings.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications must be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

You will also be expected to answer a number of selection questions as a step in this recruitment process.

Welcome to apply!

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.