PhD Position in Physics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg is located in the center of Gothenburg, with approximately 100 employees. The communication routes are good both nationally and internationally. The research focuses within the fields of Atom- and Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and Spintronics, and Complex Systems and Biophysics and is performed in an international environment with extensive national and international collaborations. The education programs at the Department include Bachelor- and Master programs in Physics, physics teacher-training programs, as well as outreach courses in Physics aimed for the general public. Gothenburg Physics Centre is a close collaboration with three other departments within the Faculty of Science and Chalmers University of Technology, which creates an innovative environment for all researchers and students at the department.

For further information about the Department of Physics, please visit our website at www.physics.gu.se/english. More information about Gothenburg Physics Centre can be found at www.chalmers.se/en/centres/gpc/Pages/default.aspx.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Job assignments

We offer two PhD positions in the framework of the Horizon Europe MSCA-Doctoral Network “Autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopy for Life Sciences and Medicine powered by Artificial Intelligence (SPM4.0)”. This project is funded by the European Union (GA: 101168976). Information on the Doctoral Network can be found at the website https://spm40.eu/ .

The research will be carried out in the group at the University of Gothenburg led by Giovanni Volpe. The group focuses on soft matter, optical tweezers, statistical physics and machine learning.

We are looking for two PhD students at the Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg. The applicants will work in the development of AI tools for image analysis, microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, near field microscopy, smart microscopy, and active learning.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.    

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.  

In fulfillment of the MSCA rules, the PhD student has obligation to work exclusively for the SPM4.0 doctoral network for the 36 months supported through the funds of the doctoral network.

Eligibility   

The candidate will have preferably a Master degree in Physics, Engineering, or closely related disciplines.

In order to be approved for MSCA financing the applicant, at the time for the application, should not have resided in Sweden more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date [Mobility requirement]. Moreover the applicant must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree [Early-stage researcher requirement].

We are looking for talented, motivated, and dedicated persons.
The candidate must be flexible and keen to work as part of a larger team, and also possess the ability to work independently, have good communication skills in both written and spoken English.
The candidate must have documented experience regarding programming, machine learning, AI tools.

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must: (i) have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or (ii) have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or (iii) have completed a corresponding programme of relevance to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Assessment criteria   

Selection among applicants who meet the requirements for basic and special eligibility is based on the ability to assimilate the education at postgraduate level.

In the assessment, special emphasis is placed on documented qualifications regarding programming, machine learning, AI tools for image analysis, microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, near field microscopy, smart microscopy, and active learning.

Knowledge of Python, Matlab, C/C++ or similar programming language is an advantage. Consolidated experience with standard Python ML libraries (e.g., Tensorflow, Keras, PyTorch) and software development tooling (git and docker) is preferable.

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.   

Admission and employment   

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.   

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.    

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.  

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.   

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 4 years full time

Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Physics, Gothenburg
First day of employment: 1 March 2025 or as agreed
University applies a local salary agreement of graduate students, taking also into account the MSCA-DN guidelines.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students. In this case, additionally, the MSCA-DN guidelines will be taken into acount.

Please note, doctoral studies at The department of Physics require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, The department of Physics has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information 

Giovanni Volpe, Professor, 031-786 9137, giovanni.volpe@physics.gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

Application   

Apply online to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.   

The application shall include:

- Cover letter with an explanation of why you apply for the position
- CV including scientific publications
- Copy of exam certificate
- Two referees (name, telephone number, relation)

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

Applications must be received by: 24-02-2025 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.