Doctoral students in Physics with focus on attosecond physics

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 up to three PhD students for the projects described below.

Two projects will be funded by the Knut- and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The third project will be funded through a Marie Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network: Quantum information science and ultrafast nonlinear control at the attosecond timescale – QU-ATTO.

The last position comes 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.

We suggest the following three projects:

1. The project focuses on the development of an ultrashort pulse laser in the short-wave infrared spectral range around 1.8 µm and its applications in attosecond physics. The candidate will join the ongoing laser development and drive the design and building of a soft-X-ray attosecond pump-probe beamline for time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in atomic and molecular systems.
2. The second project concerns time-resolved studies of atoms, molecules and solids using intense ultrashort laser pulses in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray spectral region. The project includes development, optimization and characterization of a laser-driven source for the generation of attosecond pulses, development and implementation of pump-probe measurement techniques and experiments at the high-order harmonic laboratory of the Lund High-Power Laser Facility and at international free electron laser facilities.
3. The third project is called: Tomographic reconstruction of entangled quantum states in photoionization. This project aims at further improving a tomographic technique, developed in Lund, for the reconstruction of the density matrix of photoelectrons, created by absorption of ultrashort XUV pulses by atoms and molecules. The project is performed within the above described QU-ATTO network and will includes collaboration with well-known theory groups.

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.

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
• Photoelectron- and photoion spectroscopy
• Free-electron experiments
• Experience in programming, data analysis, vacuum technique, and mechanical design.

Basis of assessment

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:

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

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. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-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 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications should 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.).

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.