PhD in Brillouin Microscopy
First seen by Alion on Sep 15, 2026.
PhD in Brillouin Microscopy: We have an opening for a four-year PhD student position on a new type of Brillouin Microscopy platform.
- Amsterdam
Your function
Our group at VU Amsterdam develops advanced photonic technologies to explore fundamental light–matter interactions and create new tools for science and life sciences. We currently have an opening for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Brillouin microscopy.
The project offers the opportunity to explore fundamental aspects of Brillouin scattering and photon–phonon interactions while developing exciting new experimental approaches for applications in life sciences and spectroscopy. We seek a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate with a strong background in physics and an internal drive to explore new ideas and build experiments.
The successful candidate will work at the intersection of fundamental photonics, nonlinear optics and advanced optical instrumentation, combining fundamental questions with hands-on experimental research and real-world applications.
Your profile
- MSc Degree in Physics
- preferably with a background in experimenta/theoretical physics, soft or biological physics
- experience with programming is a plus
What do we offer?
We offer guidance and help so you can develop the skills and experience to become an independent scientist. In addition, we offer an intellectually challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:
- a salary of minimum € 3.204,00 (PhD) and maximum € 4.051,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
- a position for at least 0.9 FTE.
- your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion exists.
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:
- a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- contribution to commuting expenses
- optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
- a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
About us
About the department, institute, project
The AVCI group is part of the Biophotonics and Medical Imaging Section within the Physics department at the VU Amsterdam. Our team is an inclusive and diverse environment, welcoming excellent students from all backgrounds. We offer a stimulating and collaborative environment and the Phd students in our group have the opportunity to learn from the best scientists in the field, publish in top journals, and present their work at international conferences.
Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.
Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. That is why we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry.