Doctoral Student in Photonic Fluids and Frequency Combs
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Institution
- ETH Zurich
- Country
- Switzerland
- Position type
- PhD
- Subject area
- Physics & Astronomy
- Funding
- Fully funded position
Want to be the strongest applicant for this position?
Book a free 15-minute call with our team. We will look at your profile against what ETH Zurich is actually looking for, and tell you honestly where you stand and what to strengthen before you apply.
Book a free call about this position →No cost, no obligation. Mentors who have secured funded PhD positions themselves.
How our PhD admission mentorship works →
We mentor STEM applicants only. If your research aspirations are outside STEM subjects, you're very welcome to use this board and apply directly; we just aren't the right people to mentor you.
About this position
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Our group explores new regimes of frequency comb physics — laser sources that generate thousands of evenly spaced spectral lines, acting as ultra-precise rulers for measuring light. We study liquid-like light in fast-gain semiconductor lasers, where strong nonlinear dynamics can produce stable and controllable broadband states. Our research combines semiconductor device fabrication, precision optical experiments, and theoretical and numerical modelling to understand and control these systems.
Project background
This project investigates the dynamics, fluctuations, and open-system physics of liquid light. The doctoral student will work across the full experimental cycle: developing and fabricating photonic devices, building and operating optical setups, performing precision measurements, and modelling the underlying nonlinear dynamics.
Job description
- Designing and fabricating semiconductor photonic devices using cleanroom processes, followed by their electrical and optical characterization.
- Building and operating advanced laser and optical measurement setups to study temporal dynamics, fluctuations, coherence, and controlled light–matter interactions.
- Developing theoretical and numerical models to describe nonlinear laser dynamics, interpret experiments, and guide the design of new devices and measurements.
The goal is to establish a versatile experimental platform for probing and controlling liquid-light dynamics, connecting device physics, precision measurements, and nonlinear photonic theory.
Profile
- Strong background in physics and\or electrical engineering, photonics, or a closely related field.
- Interest in combining fabrication, experimental work, and theory/simulations.
- Advantage to previous experience with cleanroom fabrication, optical experiments, lasers, or numerical modelling is helpful, but specific platform experience is not required.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
- A research environment combining fundamental physics, semiconductor technology, and advanced photonics.
- State-of-the-art cleanroom, laser, and characterization facilities at ETH Zürich.
- The opportunity to develop broad expertise spanning device fabrication, precision experiments, and theoretical modelling within one PhD project.
We value diversity and sustainability
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application in a single merged PDF document in the following order:
- Cover letter detailing your research motivation, interests, and experience
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts of all degrees in English (Bachelor's and Master's)
- Three professional reference contacts, including an email and a direct phone number to reach them
- A publication or thesis work sampling your academic reasoning and writing,
Name the PDF with your last name and initials as well as the application date (for example, 20251010_DoeJane_application).
The application deadline is November 17th.
Further information about the Institute for Quantum Electronics can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Alexander Dikopoltsev, adikopoltsev@ethz.ch(no applications).
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.
About ETH Zürich
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application in a single merged PDF document in the following order:
- Cover letter detailing your research motivation, interests, and experience
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts of all degrees in English (Bachelor's and Master's)
- Three professional reference contacts, including an email and a direct phone number to reach them
- A publication or thesis work sampling your academic reasoning and writing,
Name the PDF with your last name and initials as well as the application date (for example, 20251010_DoeJane_application).
The application deadline is November 17th.
Further information about the Institute for Quantum Electronics can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Alexander Dikopoltsev, adikopoltsev@ethz.ch(no applications).
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.
About ETH Zürich
Apply directly to ETH Zurich
Emerging Scholars Council is not the employer and does not recruit for this position. It is advertised by ETH Zurich, and your application goes to them. We help students prepare and strengthen their applications.
Go to the official application page →Contact listed in the advert
Some positions — especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland — are filled by writing directly to the supervisor rather than through an online form. These addresses were taken from the advert text, so check them against the official listing before you write.
A cold email to a supervisor is the highest-leverage thing you can send — and the easiest to get wrong. Ask us to look at yours before you hit send.