Single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are two-dimensional semiconductors with a direct bandgap of a few electron volts. Using optical excitation and high magnetic fields, distinct valleys in the conduction and valence bands can be addressed, enabling the manipulation of individual spin- and/or valley-polarized states. During this project you will develop a setup to measure the electronic transport properties of photo-excited charge carriers in TMDCs and explore the quantum nature of coupled electron-hole pairs (excitons). You will actively cooperate with other PhD students and postdocs of HFML working on related topics and you will be involved in helping external users carry out related experiments in high magnetic fields.

Within a collaboration between the groups Semiconductors & Nanostructures and Soft Condensed Matter and Nanomaterials of the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML) in Nijmegen, this project is related to our research on low-dimensional electron systems in high magnetic fields. These activities encompass local research projects and collaborative research initiatives with world-leading groups in the field, as well as supporting external users in performing their experiments on related topics. We use a variety of advanced experimental techniques such as micro-photoluminescence and photo-conductivity in high magnetic fields, as well as magneto-transport and capacitance spectroscopy.

We seek talented, enthusiastic and motivated candidates with a Masters' degree in (Semiconductor) Physics or related subject areas. Experience with optical spectroscopy, transport experiments and low-temperature techniques is welcome though not mandatory.

Fixed-term contract: four years.

When fulfilling a PhD position at NWO-I, the Institutes Organisation of NWO, you will get the status of junior scientist. You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits NWO-I offers. You will get a contract for four years. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 2,834 euro gross per month. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 percent and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33 percent. You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four year term with NWO-I. A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. This plan also defines which teaching activities you will be responsible (up to a maximum of ten percent of your time). The conditions of employment of NWO-I are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English). General information about working at NWO-I can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'Job interview code' applies to this position.

Radboud University

HFML is an international research facility, jointly run by Radboud University and NWO. We use and develop high magnetic fields and state-of-the-art instrumentation to carry out pioneering research by both in-house and external users in the fields of Semiconductors & Nanostructures, Correlated Electron Systems and Soft Condensed Matter & Nanomaterials.
See also: http://www.ru.nl/hfml/