The goal of this PhD project is to investigate atomic-scale magnetic and charge order in different quantum phases of novel 2D materials.

Since the discovery of graphene, a non-magnetic, semi-metallic 2D material, the search has been going on for 2D semiconducting and magnetic materials. Recently, 2D ferromagnetism was reported within a single layer of semiconducting or insulating materials, e.g. in transition metal halides (1,2) . However, the atomic-scale magnetic order and the role of electron correlations in these materials classes are barely understood. The current state-of-the-art method to detect atomic-scale spin-sensitive information is based on spin-polarised scanning tunnelling microscopy (SP-STM). Unfortunately, this method cannot address insulating phases of materials. You will investigate the atomic-scale geometric structure and local charge and magnetic order in novel 2D magnetic materials. Your approach will be to use various STM and AFM methods, particularly the worldwide unique combination of SP-STM and magnetic exchange force microscopy (called SPEX) that we have recently developed at our department (3,4) . You will join a young and innovative team of experienced researchers and technicians, work within cutting-edge UHV-based cryogenic SPM facilities, and perform high-precision spectroscopic and magnetic measurements.

(1)Gong C., et al., Nature 546, 265-269 (2017).
(2)Huang B., et al., Nature 546, 270-273 (2017).
(3)N. Hauptmann et al., Nano Lett. 17, 5660-5665 (2017).
(4)N. Hauptmann et al., Nature Communications 11, 1197 (2020).

• A Master’s degree in physics, including a properly written thesis on an experimental topic.
• Priority will be given to applicants with proper SPM, cryogenic, and/or UHV experience.
• Good communication skills in spoken and written English.
• Proven experience with conducting experiments, both independently and in a team.
• You are able to communicate your results by writing manuscripts and giving presentations at international conferences.

Fixed-term contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).

• Employment:  1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,395 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,061 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.
• The intended start date is 1 September 2021.
• Your education task may be up to 10% of your appointment.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Have a look at our excellent employment conditions. They include a good work-life balance (among other things because of the excellent leave arrangements), opportunities for development and a great pension scheme.

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is a complete, student-oriented science faculty where research and education are closely intertwined. The faculty aims to form an academic community with an international character, where staff members from different backgrounds can combine their talents with the common goal of being among the leading science faculties in Europe.

You will be part of the Scanning Probe Microscopy department (SPM) at the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), which is one of the major research institutes of the Faculty of Science at Radboud University. IMM is a research institute in chemistry and physics which fosters interdisciplinary research. Its mission is to design and create functional molecules and materials to fundamentally understand their behaviour. The institute comprises 19 research groups in areas ranging from condensed matter science to organic chemistry and biochemistry. IMM focuses on fundamental research with an open eye for societal applications, and educates the next generation of leaders in science and innovation. IMM distinguishes itself from similar institutes by close collaborations and rich interactions between chemists and physicists and/or experimentalists and theorists, and an excellent infrastructure including the Scanning Probe Laboratories, Laser Labs, Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, High Field Magnet Laboratory and Free Electron Laser Laboratory (HFML-FELIX).

The SPM department hosts many international scientists and students. We utilise SPM techniques beyond the state of the art to study numerous problems in fundamental physics and chemistry. Our expertise focuses on high precision magnetic and electronic imaging of single atoms, molecules and 2D materials in cryogenic, ultrahigh vacuum environments and in magnetic fields, often related to single-atom manipulation.