Doctoral (Phd) position in micro-optics, with focus on coronagraphs for exoplanet research

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization in Materials Science

at the Division of Applied Materials Science Department of Materials Science and Engineering Uppsala University starting in October 2026

Join us!

About the Department

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area from basic research to large-scale applied research and close contacts with students through the departments involvement in engineering and masters programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international workplace with around 230 active co-workers.

Read more about us here

About the division

The Division of Applied Materials Science is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Ångström Laboratory. Researchers at the division have extensive experience in materials science materials analysis materials synthesis and nanostructuring of materials. We develop materials and tailor their properties for a wide range of applications and our research activities are of predominantly experimental nature. Research groups are specialized in Materials in Medicine Tribomaterials Electron Microscopy and Nanoengineering and Diamond Optics.

The doctoral education is carried out at the Diamond Optics group which has its focus on applications in astronomy and life sciences. By leveraging our unique expertise in diamond micro- and nanostructuring technology we are opening up new applications for this extraordinary material in infrared optics. Our expertise in optical simulations allows us to optimize our designs at the nanometer astronomy we work closely with colleagues in Europe and the US to test and install our components in world-leading telescopes. Today our coronagraphs are used on ESOs Very Large Telescope in Chile the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona.

Project description

The project aims to design and manufacture the next generation of coronagraphs for space telescopes and large ground-based telescopes. A coronagraph is an instrument in a telescope that blocks a strong light source to make nearby weak light sources visible. For direct observations of Earth-like exoplanets one must overcome an extremely high contrast in brightness within a very small viewing angle. The difference in brightness between star and planet can be on the order of 10¹⁰ and the angle between planet and star a few tenths of an arcsecond. To enable this the PhD student with the support of their supervisors and in collaboration with international colleagues in astronomy and instrument design will design and manufacture micro-optical components with the aim of extinguishing the starlight through destructive interference.

The doctoral project is part of the Swedish Space Research School (SSRS) which aims to reinforce Swedens longterm provision of expertise to offer a coordinated and highquality doctoral education and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the Swedish space sector. Several SSRS courses workshops and conferences will be included in the doctoral studies. SSRS is a national graduate school in space science and space technology jointly administered by a consortium of Swedish universities and research institutes and funded by the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). The director of SSRS is Christer Fuglesang.

Duties

The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However you work independently to a great extent e.g. by working in a laboratory environment writing articles for journals and obtaining results for your doctoral thesis.

When you are admitted to doctoral studies you are offered employment as a doctoral student. A position as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time PhD education for four years.

Read more about being a Doctoral student here.

Typical work tasks include:

• programming for optical simulations and optimization
• nanofabrication in diamond and other optical materials in our cleanroom
• characterization of manufactured components with SEM and profilometry
• design and installation of test setups on optical bench
• reporting of scientific results in international journals

Eligibility requirements

To meet the general entry requirements for doctoral studies the applicant must have:

• completed a degree at second-cycle level or
• completed at least 240 credits of higher education studies of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level including an independent project of at least 15 credits or
• otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

Requirements

Masters degree in engineering physics physics materials science micro- and nanosystem technology or a related field or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications.

We require good oral and written skills in English.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5 1-7 and in Uppsala Universitys rules and guidelines.

Additional qualifications

It is advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• astronomy/astrophysics
• optics
• instrument design
• micro- and nanofabrication in cleanroom
• programming and simulation
• metrology
• integration of microsystems
• optical characterization of materials and systems

It is also a merit to have a broad education in for example physics and engineering physics together with for example nanosystem technology which provides a greater understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the research area.

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have a good ability to work towards set goals and to focus on achieving this you have an ability to focus even during periods of high workload. You have good communication skills where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

Your application must include

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your masters degree and your course grades.
• Copies (or drafts) of your masters thesis and other documents such as publications that you wish to refer to.
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have agreed to be references for you with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

About the employment
The employment is a temporaryposition according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date or as soon as possible.Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position please contact:Mikael Karlsson

Please submit your application by 14 August 2026 UFV-PA 2026/1387

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