The Center for Nanophotonics (NanoPhoton) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) conducts cutting-edge fundamental research on semiconductor nanocavities that confine light to dimensions far below the wavelength. Until recently, such extreme light localization was considered impossible, yet it now enables access to regimes of strong light–matter interaction. This opens exciting new opportunities in quantum and information technologies while advancing fundamental science. We refer to this emerging research area as Extreme Dielectric Confinement (EDC), and we invite you to become part of the team shaping this field.

NanoPhoton is an interdisciplinary research center that brings together several departments at DTU and is supported by a Center grant from the Danish National Research Foundation. It offers a highly collaborative and international research environment at the forefront of nanophotonics.

We are now seeking a highly motivated PhD student with strong academic records who is eager to contribute to this rapidly developing field. We welcome applicants with backgrounds or/and interests in areas such as nanofabrication, epitaxy, laser physics, integrated photonics, condensed matter physics, and nanoscopy.

If you are passionate about advancing nanophotonics through cutting-edge research, we warmly encourage you to apply. In this call, we are particularly recruiting PhD candidates for the following research topic:

• Epitaxy and nanofabrication of III-V semiconductor emitters in nanocavities
  The goal of this project is to realize extremely small, precisely engineered active regions for nanophotonic devices. This will be achieved by studying semiconductor growth in narrow three-dimensional dielectric templates, including low-dimensional gain materials and tailored doping strategies. The results will enable electrically driven nanolasers and nano-LEDs based on extreme dielectric confinement (EDC), where tiny III–V heterostructures are integrated into silicon nanocavities at optical field maxima.

As a PhD student at NanoPhoton, you will become part of a vibrant and ambitious research environment, working alongside talented graduate students, postdocs, senior scientists, and professors. At DTU, you will have access to state-of-the-art optical laboratories and world-class cleanroom facilities, providing an exceptional setting for cutting-edge research.

You will be immersed in an interdisciplinary community, with opportunities to collaborate and exchange ideas with researchers across a broad range of scientific fields. The center brings together scholars from many nationalities and cultural backgrounds, creating a truly international environment. We are committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and trust-based atmosphere where curiosity thrives, new ideas are encouraged, and innovative collaborations naturally emerge.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a relevant master’s degree.

We are looking for motivated and ambitious PhD students with a strong background in physics or engineering and with an interest in nanofabrication, epitaxy, laser physics, integrated photonics, condensed matter physics, and nanoscopy.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be made by Professor Elizaveta Semenova, Professor Kresten Yvind and Professor Jesper Mørk.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, and the position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from the NanoPhoton Center Leader Prof. Jesper Mørk, [email protected], and co-PI Prof. Elizaveta Semenova, [email protected].

You can read more about NanoPhoton at www.nanophoton.dk and DTU Electro at www.electro.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 August 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro
DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Location
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before
2026-08-10T21:59:00+00:00