PhD in Dynamic Metasurfaces for Spacetime-Engineered Light

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Introduction

Are you fascinated by the idea of steering light through time as well as space? Develop metasurfaces for synthetic crystal rotation and nonreciprocal light-matter interactions, with secondments at UPNA, Spain and UltraFast Innovations GmbH, Germany.

Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in photonics, optics, or applied physics to contribute to SPARK Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral network. The candidate will develop metasurfaces supporting synthetic crystal rotation through ultrafast spatiotemporal modulation. The project involves theoretical modelling and simulation of anisotropic metasurfaces with epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) like behaviour, realization of dynamically modulated metasurface structures, and experimental evaluation of their ultrafast optical response, with the aim of demonstrating synthetic spacetime rotation, generating spatiotemporal light fields, and uncovering nonreciprocal light–matter interactions.

The PhD candidate will work within the Photonic Integration group at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, co-supervised by Prof. I. Liberal at the University of Navarra (UPNA), Spain, The candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary, international team within the SPARK MSCA Doctoral network, working alongside PhD students and researchers on related nonreciprocal and spatiotemporal photonics technologies, with close collaboration across theory, fabrication, and experimental characterization.

The research and secondment activities will be supported by a 6-month stay at the University of Navarra (UPNA), Spain, focused on theoretical modelling, and a 3-month stay at UFI for ultrafast optical characterization, giving the candidate direct access to complementary expertise and facilities across the consortium.

Job Requirements

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optics, Applied Physics, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
• In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
• Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
• As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Humeyra Caglayan, h.caglayan@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Kevin Caris, HR Advisor, k.t.caris@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named SPARK MSCA DN, with project number RT205698, within program HE / MSCA.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including research experience and a list of your publications.
• Contact information of three relevant references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• All other information that might be relevant.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Type of employment: temporary position | Contract type: full time | Number of positions: 1 | Full-time equivalent: 1.0 FTE | City: Eindhoven | County: Noord-Brabant | Country: Netherlands | Reference number: 2026/564 | Published: 2026-09-14 | Last application date: 2026-10-18