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

Role Overview
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. The position is within the Diamond Optics group, which focuses on applications in astronomy and life sciences, leveraging expertise in diamond micro- and nanostructuring technology for infrared optics. The doctoral project is part of the Swedish Space Research School (SSRS).

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 10^10 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.

Responsibilities
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.

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

Requirements and Qualifications
General Entry Requirements:
To meet the general entry requirements for doctoral studies, the applicant must have completed a degree at second-cycle level, 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.

Specific Requirements:
- Master’s degree in engineering physics, physics, materials science, micro- and nanosystem technology, or a related field, or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications.
- Good oral and written skills in English.

Additional Qualifications (Advantageous):
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.

Personal Qualities:
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 them. In 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.

What They Offer
- Employment as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponding to full-time PhD education for four years.
- Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.
- Scope of employment: 100%.
- Starting date: 19-10-2026 or as soon as possible.
- Placement: Uppsala, Sweden.
- Participation in the Swedish Space Research School (SSRS), including several courses, workshops, and conferences.
- Collaboration with international colleagues in astronomy and instrument design.
- Access to world-leading facilities, including cleanrooms for nanofabrication and characterization equipment (SEM, profilometry).