At the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) we carry out exciting fundamental physics at the highest possible level with relevance to key technologies in nanolithography. We contribute to the production of ever smarter and smaller electronics, while at the same time pushing the boundaries of our fundamental insight into the workings of nature.

This PhD project uses state-of-the-art high power femtosecond laser pulses to generate and detect extremely-high-frequency (up to 1 THz) sound wave packets. The sound-wave packets have wavelengths even smaller than those of visible light. You will perform fundamental research on the generation and detection of these sound waves, and study their application potential for the detection of nano-structures, such as gratings, buried below opaque layers. Extremely high frequency sound wave propagation depends on material properties such as material-density and speed of sound, but is also expected to be affected by the graininess of a material. The project combines ultrafast laser physics and materials science and has the added bonus of possibly seeing the results used in real applications.

You have an MSc in (applied) physics. Knowledge in the fields of optical physics or laser physics and solid-state physics is advantageous. Good verbal and written communication skills (in English) are required.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it can be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). You will formally be appointed at the Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), one of the founding ARCNL partners. 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 salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be  €2.325 to €2.972 (scale P) gross per month, based on fulltime (38 hours a week), exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3 % end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at the UvA. Several courses are offered, specifically developed for PhD-students.

ARCNL will compensate foreign PhD students for their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

EUV Targets

The Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL) focuses on the fundamental physics and chemistry involved in current and future key technologies in nanolithography, primarily for the semiconductor industry. ARCNL is a public-private partnership between the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the University of Amsterdam (UvA), the VU University Amsterdam (VU) and the semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML. ARCNL is located at the Science Park Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and is currently building up towards a size of approximately 100 scientists and support staff.

You will be embedded in the EUV Targets group at ARCNL, which frequently interacts with our industrial partner ASML. The research activities of the EUV Targets group mainly take place in the general area of “metrology” and cover both fundamental research and real-life applications of that research.