The Quantum Light Sources Group at DTU Electro is seeking candidates for PhD Scholarships in the field of design, simulation, fabrication and characterization of highly efficient solid-state sources of single indistinguishable photons for photonic quantum information technology.
Single-photon sources play an important role in photonic quantum information applications, which generally require near-unity efficiency and a high single-photon purity as well as indistinguishable photon emission. You will participate in a project team with several senior researchers and Ph.D. students, which will design and fabricate quantum-dot-based single-photon sources meeting all the requirements of the quantum information applications.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The focus of the PhD1 project position is the design and numerical simulation of quantum-dot-based single-photon sources using advanced optical simulation tools. The objective of the PhD2 project is the microfabrication of the devices in the state-of-the-art DTU Nanolab cleanroom facilities using quantum dot imaging, lithography, etching and metal deposition. In both projects, the overall objective is to increase the efficiency and photon indistinguishability towards unity.
The primary responsibilities of the PhD students include:
- Employ numerical simulation techniques based on Fourier Modal Method and the Finite Element Method to analyze the single-photon source performance (PhD1).
- Optimize and propose new single-photon source designs overcoming these limitations to be fabricated by other PhD students (PhD1).
- Perform microfabrication including quantum dot imaging, UV and e-beam lithography, reactive ion etching and wet chemical etching and metal deposition (PhD2).
- Perform optical characterization of the fabricated devices in terms of purity, efficiency and photon indistinguishability (PhD2).
- Supervise MSc/BSc/Fagprojekt project students.
- Contribute to the development of new SPS designs.
- Document the research with scientific articles and conference contributions.
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Applicable for all scholarships
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be made by Prof. Niels Gregersen, Assoc. Prof. Luca Vannucci and Assoc. Prof. Battulga Munkhbat.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 January 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Niels Gregersen ([email protected]), tel.: +45 4525 3789.
You can read more about DTU Electro at www.electro.dtu.dk.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 9 September 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
In the field “Please indicate which position(s) you would like to apply for”, please indicate which project you are applying for (title from the above list of PhD projects or individual research projects).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Electro is the department of electrical and photonics engineering at DTU. Our research aims at understanding the nature of light and electronics and the ways in which we can control and use these. We conduct research within nanophotonics, lasers, quantum photonics, optical sensors, LEDs, photovoltaics, ultra-high speed optical transmission systems, bio-photonics, acoustics, power electronics, robotics, and autonomous systems.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
