Key Skills

Job Description

Job Description As a PhD student, you will work on a project focused on developing in-situ optical sensing for polymer-based electronics: using light to non-invasively inspect, understand, and improve their stability and performance, with the aim to develop energy-efficient optoelectronic devices. You’ll select and design conductive polymers, fabricate electronics devices, then build in-situ UV-Vis/Raman/surface enhanced Raman spectroscopies platform to reveal hidden processes such as interfacial charge transfer, redox switching, doping and dedoping, morphology dynamics, and local electric field effects. You’ll model electrical and optical inputs and responses for energy-efficient computing as a proof of concept. What sets this opportunity apart: World-class facilities: Conduct your research at the University of Twente, a vibrant campus in the east of the Netherlands equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Expert guidance: Work alongside leading experts Dr. Ivana Qianqi Lin and Prof. Christian Nijhuis in the Hybrid Materials for Opto-electronics group, as well as renowned expert Prof. Frederik Wurm in the Sustainable Polymer Chemistry group, all within the Department of Molecules and Materials. Interdisciplinary collaboration: You’ll be part of the MESA+ Institute embedded in the world-class NanoLab infrastructure, and collaborate closely with Department of Applied NanoPhotonics, and Centre for Brain-Inspired Computing. This is your chance to contribute to a more sustainable future while advancing your research career at a leading European university. Join us in shaping the future of hybrid materials and forefront technologies! Your profile You hold a BSc or MSc in Physical Chemistry or Physics, and have proven experimental skill in optics and spectroscopies. You are willing to build in-situ optical sensing platform. You have good coding and analysis skills, and are willing to develop modelling skills towards neuromorphic computing. You have are comfortable with organic-based functional materials and sample preparation/fabrication. You show strong passion for science and exceptional motivation as a researcher. You like dealing with new concepts and doing original research, while being critical to evaluating experimental findings. You are fluent in English. You are a team player. Our offer Appointment for 4 years as a PhD researcher. Salary ranging from € 3.204,- gross per month in the first year to € 4.051,- gross per month in the 4th year of your PhD appointment. Professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente. Terms of employment in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Pension as part of the solid Dutch scheme (ABP). A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid). Access to the state-of-the-art research facilities. Large campus with numerous options for free-of-charge recreational and sport activities. Possibilities to cooperate with nearby high-tech companies and institutions on both sides of national borders. Support for relocation and immigration. An inspiring scientific environment with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization and collaboration are key elements of the strategic agenda. Information and application Are you interested? Send your application before 8th November 2026 via the provide button and should include: Personal motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation. A detailed CV. One reference from your former supervisor (written recommendation) with contact details. Academic transcript of BSc. and MSc. education. An interview and a scientific presentation will be a part of the selection procedure. Applications submitted by means other than the indicated here will not be considered. We reserve the right to speak only to selected candidates. Screening will be part of the procedure. For more information or questions about the position, please contact dr. Ivana Qianqi Lin via: [https://www.utwente.nl/en/tnw/hmoe] About The Organisation The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.

Core Responsibilities

Develop in-situ optical sensing for polymer-based electronics, including selecting conductive polymers, fabricating devices, and building a UV-Vis, Raman, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platform. Investigate processes affecting device stability and performance, then model electrical and optical inputs and responses as a proof of concept for energy-efficient neuromorphic computing.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a BSc or MSc in Physical Chemistry or Physics and have demonstrated experimental skills in optics and spectroscopy, along with coding and analysis skills. They should be comfortable with organic functional materials and sample preparation or fabrication, motivated to develop optical sensing and modeling skills, fluent in English, and able to work collaboratively and critically.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension
• Paid And Unpaid Parental Leave
• Professional And Personal Development Program
• Access To Research Facilities
• Free Recreational And Sports Activities
• Relocation And Immigration Support