Are you passionate about the development of new materials for quantum applications and intrigued by integrating chemistry and physics approaches? Are you a driven student seeking to engage in experimental research within a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment?

Applications are now open for a 4-year full-time PhD position in the Isaeva Group at the Institute of Physics (IoP), University of Amsterdam (UvA). This project is offering an opportunity to delve into the realm of magnetic topological insulators, and focuses on refining inorganic compounds within this class of quantum materials, with a particular emphasis on expanding the family of compounds beyond our pioneering work with MnBi2Te4.

Your primary objective will be to uncover, by synthesis and meticulous characterization, best-performing semiconductors with the most robust ferromagnetic order, the highest magnetic ordering temperatures, and topological electron band structures. Leveraging advanced techniques in solid-state chemistry, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and magnetic property measurements, you'll investigate the intricate relationship between synthetic protocols and material properties. Ultimately, your findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of quantum materials and provide guidelines to the fabrication of superior magnetic topological insulators.

This research is well embedded in a stimulating interdisciplinary and international research environment with local colleagues and international partners across experimental physics, computational DFT modelling, nanoscience and sustainability.

Magnetic topological insulators exhibit exotic magnetic and electronic behaviours that are governed by material’s properties, such as the periodic crystal structure and atomic arrangement, spin-orbit coupling and long-range magnetic order. Together, we're on a mission to identify the most promising materials for future quantum technologies, driving innovation and shaping the landscape of tomorrow.

In this project, you will:

• Conduct frontier experimental research in the field of quantum materials, with the exploration of the promising family of inorganic van der Waals Mn(Sb,Bi)2Te4 compounds and advancing towards the development of more robust ferromagnetic semiconductors.
• Execute inorganic synthesis of new materials following an original hypothesis – atomic intermixing engineering – and characterize their structural, compositional, and magnetic properties.
• Acquire proficiency in X-ray diffraction and bulk magnetometry techniques under expert supervision, collect and evaluate data attaining independent, expert-level individual competency.
• Engage with cutting-edge concepts in solid-state physics regarding topological insulators, quantum anomalous Hall effect, Dirac and Weyl semimetals, and enrich them from chemical and crystallographic perspectives.
• Disseminate your research findings to the international community through peer-reviewed publications, as well as presentations at workshops, conferences, and partner meetings.
• Contribute to teaching and tutoring activities, as well as the supervision of Bachelor and Master theses.
• Participate in local and international collaborations on quantum materials, including the experimental groups of the Quantum Materials cluster at the IoP, the chemists from the van’t Hoff Institute of Molecular Sciences (UvA), the materials’ scientists from the ARCNL, the Dutch national consortium “Materials for the Quantum Age” (QuMat.org), and the German Excellence Cluster “Topology and complexity in quantum matter” (ctqmat.de).
• Join a leading materials research group and become an integral part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary PhD community dedicated to exploring quantum materials both within the Netherlands and across the EU. This project forms part of a consortium comprising several PhD students collaborating on various aspects of magnetic topological insulators, contributing collectively to the identification of materials for future quantum technologies.

Your experience and profile:

• A Master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, physics or related fields.
• Necessary skills: background in experimental laboratory work and passion about explorative research, previous experience in at least two of the following areas: inorganic synthesis, crystal-growth techniques, X-ray diffraction techniques, crystallography, characterization of bulk magnetic properties (AC susceptibility, specific heat, etc.).
• Desired skills or strong interest to learn them: basics of condensed matter physics (magnetism, band theory), crystal structure refinement, X-ray spectroscopy.
• High motivation and ability to work in a collegial, multidisciplinary, international research environment.
• Passionate and ambitious attitude to learning and working independently.
• Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English.

Previous practical experience in performing interdisciplinary research and experience in scientific presenting (published research, abstracts, conferences) are desirable.

With your background in chemistry and/or crystallography and affinity for quantum materials science, you are the ideal fit to help elevate our research to the next level. The project offers you a high-level and diverse training in many aspects of modern materials science and will include, besides the inorganic synthesis, diffraction and magnetometry experiments and data analysis, also collaborations with the theoreticians in DFT modelling, experimentalists studying magnetism, electron transport and optical properties, and device makers.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The earliest possible starting date is June 15, 2024. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,770 to € 3,539 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP – as part of the Faculty of Science – is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics center of top international standing.

The mission of the Institute of Physics (IoP) is to carry out excellent research in the field of experimental and theoretical physics, to provide inspiring teaching within the physics and other curricula and to transfer our knowledge of and enthusiasm for physics to society. The IoP has over 50 faculty and 180 researchers in total. The combination with the NWO Institutes at Amsterdam Science Park constitutes the largest physics hub in the Netherlands and is an international centre of excellence.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.