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Supported by the Graduate School Scholarship Program (GSSP) of
the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Abbe School of
Photonics of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena is offering
2 PhD Scholarships in Photonics starting in 2021. Each GSSP PhD
scholarship includes:
• a scholarship installment of currently 1.200 EUR per month, •
an annual travel allowance, • payments towards health, accident and
personal liability insurance cover, • a preliminary German language
course at the start of the scholarship, • 36 months duration,
possible extension for another 12 months.
GSSP eligibility criteria
• GSSP PhD candidates must hold or be about to obtain a Master
degree in Physics, Chemistry or a related field with sufficient
exposure to photonics. The Master degree must be not older than 6
years.
• GSSP PhD candidates must be of non-German nationality and must
not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months prior to the
nomination.
Important note: Even if you do not fulfill one or several of
these eligibility criteria, we strongly encourage you to apply! We
are regularly offering a large pool of currently more than 10 PhD
topics with different options to engage you – see
www.acp.uni-jena.de/jobs.
Submission of applications
Please apply via the online application system of the Abbe
School of Photonics (www.uni-jena.de/asp_online_application). The
application deadline is January 3, 2021. The following documents
will requested during the online application procedure:
• Transcripts of Records (ToRs) displaying the explicit marks of
all completed courses within your Bachelor and Master studies. If
available, a description with the explicit content of the courses
will support your application.
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV). Please list all stages
of your education in chronological order. The CV must contain a
clear statement about your current status and/or occupation
including information on current employments, unemployment, or
parental leave. Any prizes, scholarship, extraordinary social,
cultural or sportive activities may also be part of your CV.
• A copy of your passport. • A proof of English knowledge
certifying suitable proficiency of the English
language to perform a PhD in photonics in an internationalized
environment. • A letter of motivation (1 to 2 pages in length and
to be typed). It should
describe your personal background, interests and reasons for
applying to this scholarship. In there, please include a clear
statement on your preference(s)
http://www.acp.uni-jena.de/jobshttp://www.uni-jena.de/asp_online_application
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of up to four of the below offered PhD projects and/or your
preferred supervisor(s).
• The supply of further documents, such as e.g. two support
letters from referees of the home university are recommended, but
not mandatory at this preliminary stage.
GSSP PhD projects 2021
• No. 1 – LiNbO3-based nonlinear integrated optics for quantum
applications, supervised by Prof. Uwe Zeitner and Dr. Fabian
Steinlechner
• No. 2 – Ultimate limits of extraordinary optical transmission,
supervised by Dr. Christin David and Prof. Silvana Botti
• No. 3 – Evaluation of pathogenic structures in cells and
tissue using polarization-resolved fluorescence microscopy &
machine learning, supervised by Prof. Rainer Heintzmann and Prof.
Christian Eggeling
• No. 4 - Plasmon Enhanced Generation of Multiple Excitons in
Semiconductor Heteronanostructures for Light-Driven Hydrogen
Generation, supervised by Dr. Maria Wächtler and Prof. Benjamin
Dietzek
• No. 5 - Molecular Probes for Optical Membrane Voltage Sensing,
supervised by Prof. Stefan Heinemann and Prof. Christoph Biskup
• No. 6 - Bottom-up optical nanoantennas assembled by
DNA-origami technology, supervised by Dr. Jer-Shing Huang and Prof.
Wolfgang Fritzsche
Application procedure and further timeline
• January 3, 2021: Abbe School of Photonics application deadline
• 02/2021: pre-selection announcement of the Abbe School of
Photonics • 05/2021: official candidate nomination by the DAAD •
08/2021: approximate start of DAAD German language course in
Germany • 10/2021: approximate start of the PhD research work at
the Abbe School of
Photonics in Jena, Germany
For more information, please check our websites
www.asp.uni-jena.de and www.asp.uni-jena.de/GSSP. Any questions
concerning the PhD projects should be directed to the respective
supervisor. Technical questions concerning the application
procedure should be directed to [email protected].
http://www.acp.uni-jena.de/zeitnerhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/steinlechnerhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/davidhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/davidhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/bottihttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/pertschhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/eggelinghttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/waechtlerhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/dietzekhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/heinemannhttp://www.acp.uni-jena.de/biskuphttps://www.acp.uni-jena.de/huanghttps://www.acp.uni-jena.de/wfritzschehttp://www.asp.uni-jena.de/http://www.asp.uni-jena.de/GSSPmailto:[email protected]
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PhD position in the subject area of "LiNbO3-based nonlinear
integrated optics for quantum
applications" The current state of the art in large-scale
integrated quantum photonics is defined by silicon waveguides.
However, this material has several drawbacks related to inherent
properties of silicon as an optical material (transparency only in
the infrared, weak third-order nonlinearity, spurious Raman
nonlinearities, …). A very promising – but still new – alternative
material for integrated quantum photonics is lithium niobate
(LiNbO3). It combines the advantages of a high-refractive index
material (like in silicon photonics) with a set of properties
especially advantageous for quantum applications. These include a
large transparency in a broad spectral range from λ=0.4µm to 4.5µm,
a strong second-order nonlinearity, the potential to use a fast
electro-optic modulation, the ability for quasi-phase matching by
electric-field poling to enable efficient frequency conversion, and
the potential to become a stable laser host material when doped
e.g. with Nd- or Er-ions. The material became even more attractive
due to the just recently established availability of substrate
configurations in the form of lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI),
a thin mono-crystalline LiNbO3-slab on a low index SiO2 layer,
which substantially eases the realization of optical waveguides.
Therefore, LNOI has the potential to not only replicate the results
obtained with silicon, but to improve on them resulting in faster
and more energy-efficient quantum-photonic devices. The current
PhD-position is dedicated to investigating this new material
platform with a focus on quantum-optical functionalities. Specific
targets of research work in the frame of the position would be:
- establishing a comprehensive technology for the realization of
high-quality LNOI waveguides, - combination of the waveguide
technology with methods such as periodic poling or electro-optic
modulation, - development of novel integrated functionalities, e.g.
for polarization control, - realization of specific integrated
quantum chips, demonstrating e.g. a Hong-Ou-Mandel-type
interference
experiment or the generation of entangled two-photon states.
PhD position requirements Applications are invited for PhD
candidates with a good understanding of physical and
quantum-optics. A proven research ability to work both,
independently and cooperatively with others, is highly desirable.
Further skills like experiences in micro-fabrication of optical
components are a plus.
Your qualifications: • Master’s degree in physics, optics,
nanoscience, or a related discipline • background knowledge in
integrated optics and/or quantum optics • very good communication
skills in written and spoken English
Supervisor, affiliation: Prof. Dr. Uwe D. Zeitner, Institute of
Applied Physics Co-Supervisor, affiliation: Dr. Fabian
Steinlechner, Fraunhofer IOF
Further information Further information on our research,
publications, and group members can be found at the web-page of the
Institute of Applied Physics: www.iap.uni-jena.de. For further
information about the position, please contact Prof. U.D. Zeitner
([email protected]).
http://www.iap.uni-jena.de/
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PhD position in the subject area of "Ultimate limits of
extraordinary optical transmission"
Extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) is the ability of
nanosized hole arrays in metal substrates to transmit light of
wavelengths many orders of magnitude larger then themselves. For
truly nanosized holes or hole-to-hole distances, effects beyond
classical electrodynamics become important. Electrons in metallic
systems are described by their electron wave function which can
extend towards the dielectric surrounding, the so-called spill-out.
Hence, with nanosized distances, these wavefunctions can overlap
and allow a conductive tunnel before physically touching of
neighboring metal components. We want YOU to explore the ultimate
limits of EOT in the scope of quantum effects arising when
nanosized holes reach this atomic scale. We seek an analytic
approach to include the effect of overlapping electron wave
functions into a then semi-classical approach to two-dimensional
particle and hole arrays. This will be based on the hydrodynamic
theory for conduction electrons and the candidate will perform
density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the basic
structures to obtain an accurate input for the electron
wavefunctions used in the semi-classical approach. What influence
do such localized effects have on the optical properties of a
large-scale, two-dimensional hole array? An analytic extension to
include realistic electron wave functions into the Fourier Modal
Method (FMM) and subsequent simulations are planned to describe a
realistic, experimental situation and the ultimate limit of
extraordinary optical transmission will be explored.
PhD position requirements Applications are invited for PhD
candidates with a good general understanding of classical
electrodynamics, photonic crystals, aspects of quantum optics and
nonlinear optics. A proven research ability to work both,
independently and cooperatively with others, are highly desirable.
Programming skills (Python, C/C++) are a plus.
Your qualifications:
• Master’s degree in physics, optics, nanoscience, or a related
discipline • background knowledge in nanoplasmonics and solid-state
physics • very good communication skills in written and spoken
English
Supervisor, affiliation: Dr. Christin David Co-Supervisor,
affiliation: Prof. Dr. Silvana Botti
Further information The Junior Research Group on the ’Optical
response of hybrid nanostructures’ at FSU Jena investigates
nanostructured devices for spectroscopy, microscopy, photovoltaics
and catalysis and has a good experience in developing theory and
modeling for such systems. The aim is to realistically describe
complex nanoparticle distributions and ultrathin multilayers with
reliable and rapid methods of computational nanophotonics while
extending its scope towards multiphysics aspects. Further
information on our research, publications, and group members can be
found at ifto.uni-jena.de. For further information about the
position, please contact [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]
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PhD position in the subject area of "Evaluation of pathogenic
structures in cells and tissue using polarization-resolved
fluorescence microscopy & machine learning" Polarization
resolved fluorescence microscopy imaging (POLIM) provides
information on both, orientation and nano-aggregation. Applying
sparse deconvolution of polarization modulation (SDOM) to cellular
structures, spatial resolution in the range of 50 nm could be
achieved, while simultaneously retrieving the macromolecular
orientation. By 2D polarization fluorescence microscopy imaging (2D
POLIM) the amount of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)
between similar fluorescence labels (homo-FRET, emFRET) can be
determined. FRET is a well-established nano-ruler allowing for
discrimination of molecular structures in the range of 2-10 nm. 2D
POLIM was successfully applied to study pathogenic change in tissue
materials. An increase seen in the global FRET efficiency from
investigated sample areas could be related to pathogenic
macromolecular re-arrangement in general. So far, no correlation of
the local variation in the FRET efficiency to distinct pathogenic
structures was established. Such correlation could provide a means
to discriminate particular steps along the development of
conditions leading to cell death ultimately causing organ failure.
This project aims at developing a metrics for discriminating the
significance of pathogenic changes in studies of tissue and cells
using 2D POLIM and SDOM. To this aim, guided and unguided analysis
involving machine learning will be applied to experimental data. A
particular focus will be on re-arrangement of actin networks in
cells and tissue, as they form major cellular structures.
Investigation of cells undergoing distinct treatments will allow to
find parameters for categorizing pathogenic and healthy conditions
from POLIM and SDOM data. The derived categorization will then be
further tested and refined using available tissue materials. To
date, pathogenic deviations in nano-organisation and orientation of
macromolecular structures ex vivo are not easily accessible. The
proposed means for exploiting such deviations, thus, will
complement existing methods based on Raman-spectroscopy, electron
microscopy and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The PhD
student will program the advanced data analysis and reconstruction
while performing experiments on polarization resolved microscopy
based on an existing setup available in the Heintzmann lab. This
setup is currently extended to allow 2D POLIM, and live cell
imaging by Daniela Täuber in her DFG-project „Live2DPOLIM.“ It will
be available to the PhD student for performing his/her own
experiments using 2D POLIM and complementary SDOM. Dr. Täuber will
provide tissue data from more than 250 individual sample areas with
varying pathogenic conditions. The data were obtained via
application of conventional 2D POLIM to histologically labeled
tissue within her Laserlab Europe Access project LLC002451
conducted at Lund Laser Centre. Cells and further tissue materials
will be available from our partners in biology and medicine. Once
this novel access to polarization-resolved fluorescence microscopy
imaging is established, numerous applications in biomedical
research will be tackled together with our partners from biology
and medicine.
PhD position requirements Applications are invited for PhD
candidates with good programming skills in Python and Matlab. A
proven research ability to work both, independently and
cooperatively with others, are highly desirable. Your
qualifications:
• Master’s degree in physics, optics, nanoscience, or a related
discipline • background knowledge in fluorescence polarization and
machine learning • very good communication skills in written and
spoken English
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rainer Heintzmann / Dr. Daniela Täuber,
Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology & Department of
Physical Chemistry FSU Jena ([email protected]).
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christian Eggeling, Leibniz Institute of
Photonic Technology & Institute for Applied Optics and
Biophysics FSU Jena ([email protected]).
Further information For further information about the position,
please contact Dr. Daniela Täuber [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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PhD position in the subject area of "Plasmon Enhanced Generation
of Multiple Excitons in Semiconductor Heteronanostructures for
Light-Driven
Hydrogen Generation" Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals can
produce comparatively long-lived multiexcitonic states upon
excitation with high light intensities. The goal of the proposed
work is to explore strategies for the generation of multiple
excitons in colloidal semiconductor nanostructures via plasmon
enhancement and evaluate whether multi-electron reactions can be
driven with higher efficiency via this process. This is of highest
relevance for light-driven catalytic approaches, e.g. splitting of
water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are potential sources of
clean and renewable fuel. However, this type of reaction involving
multiple light-driven charge transfer steps from the
light-harvesting unit to the reaction center has been proven to be
highly challenging and only the separate half reactions have been
realized by now. Promising systems for light-driven hydrogen
generation combine colloidal semiconductor nanostructures as
light-harvesting unit with metal particles or molecular reaction
centers for proton reduction. Recombination of charges before
sufficient redox equivalents can accumulate at the reaction center
is one efficiency limiting process in these systems. By generating
multiple excitations and quasi-simultaneous transfer of multiple
charge carriers to the reaction center, this recombination could be
suppressed and the efficiency of the process enhanced. Multiple
excitons can be generated via quasi-simultaneous absorption of
several photons. High light intensities necessary for this process
are not achievable under ambient light conditions. Applying
plasmonic field enhancement absorption of light and the generation
of multiple excitons even at low light levels can be enhanced.
In this PhD project, the candidate will exploit this effect and
couple colloidal semiconductor nanostructures with e.g. Au or Ag
particles with a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band in
resonance with the excitonic transitions of the semiconductor
nanoparticles. The metal particles will be isolated from the
semiconductor by an insulating shell, e.g. SiO2 or Al2O3, to
prevent unwanted energy and charge transfer and to control the
distance. The formation of multiple excitons in these hybrid
structures and the Auger recombination process leading to the
quenching of the multiple excitations in the nanostructure will be
studied by means of time-resolved spectroscopic methods, i.e.
photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy, to
identify structures with slow Auger recombination enabling an
efficient transfer of multiple charge carriers to potential
reactions centers. The onset intensity for the generation of
multiple excitons for systems with and without plasmonic coupling
will be identified. Selected structures will be finally coupled
with model reaction centers for hydrogen generation. The transfer
of multiple charges will be investigated spectroscopically and the
impact on catalyst performance will be quantified via evaluating
the photon-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of the systems.
PhD position requirements Your qualifications:
• Master’s degree in chemistry, physical chemistry or
nanoscience • background knowledge in spectroscopic
characterization • very good communication skills in written and
spoken English
A proven research ability to work both, independently and
cooperatively with others, are highly desirable.
Supervisor, affiliation: Dr. Maria Wächtler, Leibniz Institute
of Photonic Technology and Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Co-Supervisor, affiliation: Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dietzek, Leibniz
Institute of Photonic Technology and Friedrich Schiller University
Jena
Further information Further information on our research,
publications, and group members can be found at
https://www.leibniz-ipht.de For further information about the
position, please contact Dr. Maria Wächtler.
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PhD position in the subject area of "Molecular Probes for
Optical Membrane Voltage Sensing"
The electrical membrane voltage is a key parameter
characterizing the state of a cell and being decisive for its
function. Unfortunately, precise measurement of the membrane
voltage requires electrical access to the cell’s interior and,
hence, is not only laborious but also invasive to the cell.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for contact-free, non-invasive
optical methods for recording the membrane potential, ideally
simultaneously for thousands of living cells at real-time. Based on
our recent results, genetically encoded fluorescence proteins,
engineered such that they yield ratiometric fluorescence signals
faithfully responding to the cell membrane potential, have the
promise to be applicable in various fields of life science.
However, the development of such voltage-sensitive proteins is only
at its beginning because there are several potential pitfalls
hampering a routine application. Among them are the automation of
unbiased image analysis, to overcome limitations set by the dynamic
range of CCD cameras, long-term stability in live-cell imaging
experiments, and several more. This project aims at developing
photonic methods for the automatic measurement of cell membrane
potential distributions and their application to current problems
of modern cell biology and cancer research. The expected outcome is
a low-cost microscopy-based system for long-term monitoring
membrane potential changes in living cell cultures. Fluorescence
lifetime measurements will serve as controls. In a team with cell
biologists and biochemists, the applicant will work with
state-of-the-art fluorescence imaging technology, will develop and
apply novel forms of image analysis and data processing. With such
methods at hand, the applicant will address important questions
cell biology, namely how cell growth and proliferation are
influenced by cell-cycle dependent alterations of the resting
membrane potential. Such investigations are of prime importance for
the development of novel strategies in combatting tumor growth. The
project will not only address the passive monitoring of cell
function, it will also attempt to devise technical ways to actively
manipulate cells during their growth phase with photonic means. For
this purpose, we will, among others, apply frequency upconverting
nanoparticles, specifically targeted to the cell membranes and
illuminated with NIR lasers.
PhD position requirements Applications are invited for PhD
candidates with a good understanding of fluorescence microscopy. A
proven research ability to work both, independently and
cooperatively with others, are highly desirable. Proficiency in
programming is a plus.
Your qualifications:
• Master’s degree in physics, optics, nanoscience, or a life
science discipline. • background knowledge in microscopy and image
analysis • very good communication skills in written and spoken
English
Supervisor, affiliation: Prof. Dr. Stefan H. Heinemann Abbe
Center of Photonics, Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Christoph Biskup, Jena University
Hospital
Further information Further information on our research,
publications, and group members can be found at
www.ibb.uni-jena.de/biophysik. For further information about the
position, please contact [email protected].
http://www.ibb.uni-jena.de/biophysikhttp://www.ibb.uni-jena.de/biophysikmailto:[email protected]
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PhD position in the subject area of
"Bottom-up optical nanoantennas assembled by DNA-origami
technology"
[Motivation] Directional transmitting optical nanoantennas can
control the emission pattern of single emitters. This offers the
opportunity to realize well-controlled directional single photon
source and may find applications in sensing, spectroscopy, quantum
optics and wireless communication in optical nanocircuits. Mass
production of high-quality directional nanoantennas using top-down
nanofabrication methods is challenging because most top-down
methods are slow, expensive, substrate-dependent, unscalable and
not precise enough. We need a method that allows mass production of
the desired directional nanoantennas with high precision,
scalability and low cost. [Goal] The goal of the project is to use
bottom-up DNA origami technology to precisely assemble plasmonic
nanoparticles and quantum emitters (fluorescent molecules, quantum
dots, etc.) into effective directional emitting nanoantennas. We
will establish stable fabrication routes for the production of
directional nanoantennas driven by incorporated single emitters
(e.g. fluorescent molecules or quantum dots). Spectrally resolved
emission patterns and directionality dependent photon statistics
with respect to the emission direction will be examined to
characterize the nanoantennas. [Significance] These DNA
origami-assembled directional nanoantennas represent meta-molecules
with directional emission pattern. They operate at the visible
frequency range (400-750 THz) and the size is smaller than 200 nm.
This is 105 faster and 104 smaller than the mm-wave antennas in the
5G communication. These antennas may serve as directional single
photon sources for wireless communication in optical nanocircuitry
and photon sources for quantum communication. [Status] Currently,
the fabrication route for nanoparticle-DNA origami-Nanoparticle
hybrids has been preliminarily established. Setups for optical
characterization and numerical simulations are also well available.
We are experienced in the design, fabrication, and characterization
of directional optical nanoantennas. We look for motivated students
who are interested in learning state-of-the-art DNA
origami-technology and nanooptics to join this project.
Figure 1. (a) Triangular DNA origamis imaged by atomic force
microscope. (b) Illustration of the directional nanoantennas and
the simulated emission pattern. (c) Optical characterization of a
single directional emitting nanoantenna (d) New concept of
illumination using directional DNA antennas.
PhD position requirements Applications are invited for PhD
candidates with a good understanding of solid-state physics,
physical chemistry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and optical
microscopy. Proven research abilities to work both, independently
and cooperatively with others, are highly desirable. Good English
communication skills (including oral presentation and writing) are
a must. Additional skills in software for 3D computer graphics
(Blender, 3ds Max, etc.), programming (LabView, Matlab), and data
analysis (Origin) are a plus. Hands-on experiences on nanoparticle
synthesis, DNA technology, FDTD simulations and back-focal plane
imaging is highly desirable.
Your qualifications: • Master’s degree in physics, chemistry,
optics, material sciences, nanoscience, or a related discipline •
Background knowledge in fluorescence, spectroscopy and microscopy •
Very good communication skills in written and spoken English
Supervisor: Dr. Jer-Shing Huang, Leibniz Institute of Photonic
Technology Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Fritzsche, Leibniz
Institute of Photonic Technology
Further information Website:
https://www.leibniz-ipht.de/en/research/departments/nanooptics/overview.html
and http://goo.gl/Tz0MXx. Contact:
[email protected]
https://www.leibniz-ipht.de/en/research/departments/nanooptics/overview.htmlhttp://goo.gl/Tz0MXxmailto:[email protected]
Call_DAAD_GSSP_ASP_Jena_photonics_2021.pdfGSSP_2021_project1_ZEITNER_STEINLECHNTER_LiNbO3-based_integrated_opticsPhD
position requirementsFurther information
GSSP_2021_project2_DAVID_BOTTI_Extraordinary_optical_transmissionPhD
position requirementsFurther information
GSSP_2021_project3_HEINTZMANN_EGGELING_Polarization-resolved_fluorescence_microscopy_and_machine_learningPhD
position requirementsFurther information
GSSP_2021_project4_WÄCHTLER_DIETZEK_Plasmonic_multiple_excitons_in_SC_heterostructuresPhD
position requirementsFurther information
ASP_GSSP_Call_2021_Deckblatt.pdf2 PhD Scholarships in
PhotonicsGSSP eligibility criteriaSubmission of applicationsGSSP
PhD projects 2021Application procedure and further timeline
GSSP_2021_project5_HEINEMANN_BISKUP_Optical_membrane_voltage_sensing.pdfPhD
position requirementsFurther information
GSSP_2021_project6_Huang_FRITZSCHE-DNA
antenna.pdfASP_GSSP_Call_2021_Deckblatt_AS.pdf2 PhD Scholarships in
PhotonicsGSSP eligibility criteriaSubmission of applicationsGSSP
PhD projects 2021Application procedure and further timeline
