PhD Student Position in Numerical Modeling and Design of Plasmonic Crystals Solar Energy

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

We are seeking a candidate with experience in numerical modeling of nanostructured materials to join our SNSF project “Coupled oscillations in plasmonic crystals”.

In this project, we focus on the effects of coupling of plasmonic oscillations in metallic micro-/nanostructures. It might be possible to achieve plasmonic crystals featuring broad frequency bands of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) in the UV-VIS-NIR spectral range. The insights from this project will have considerable impact on the fields of photovoltaics, flat screens and flexible displays, as well as energy efficient OLED lighting, electrochromic devices and energy-efficient insulating glazing.

In our research group, we develop novel micro- and nanostructured smart materials for active and passive solar energy applications being integrated into the building envelope. We focus on thin films, because these allow covering a large surface area with a small quantity of raw material - and we focus on their electronic and optical properties, because these closely interrelated properties are most important for the use of solar energy.

As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:

• Assume full responsibility for your PhD dissertation;
• Perform research in close collaboration with other lab members and international collaborators;
• Design and execute experiments;
• Analyze and interpret experimental results;
• Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Present at international conferences;
• Contribute to teaching, coach Master students and provide basic administrative support.

• An excellent Master’s-level degree in Physics, Optics, Micro-/Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Energy, or a related quantitative field
• A strong background in several of the following fields: theory of light-matter interaction, computer simulations using the method of Finite Differences in the Time Domain (FDTD), determination of optical material constants by multiangle UV-VIS-NIR ellipsometry, and/or characterization by UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometry
• A sincere interest in micro-/nanostructures, electronic and optical material properties, plasmonics, and solar energy
• Proficiency in English (French is a plus)
• Strong motivation for academic research, critical thinking, independence, good self-management skills, and excellent team spirit
• Interest in a career involving research and teaching is an asset

• A stable position for up to 4 years in order to complete your PhD;
  Term of employment: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years
• An international research environment
• Individual and intensive supervision of your PhD project
• Financial support in accordance with EPFL doctoral student conditions
• Transcripts/grades from Bachelor’s and Master’s studies

If you are successful, you will need to enrol in one of the EPFL doctoral school programs in parallel. Please check this page for additional information. Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD ential doctoral program for this position: EDEY, EDCE, EDMX, EDPY

Expected start date
:
May 1st, 2027. An alternative start date may exceptionally be agreed upon by mutual agreement.

Application
:
Final date to receive applications is November 30, 2026.