About the opportunity
DTU Electro invites applications for a fully funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate position within the Horizon Europe Doctoral Network QUEST (Quantum Electrodynamics with Silicon Nanotechnology). QUEST brings together leading European institutions to advance quantum technologies through silicon nanotechnology. As one of 15 doctoral candidates, you will investigate extreme light-matter interaction for emitters confined in cavities with deep-subwavelength confinement. Working in optical laboratories at DTU Electro, you will perform spectral and time-resolved measurements of novel quantum electrodynamical effects. The role involves close collaboration with project partners, including mandatory secondments of at least three months each at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, and the University of Barcelona, Spain.
Salary and benefits
- Fully funded 3-year PhD employment contract based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and MSCA funding rules
- Minimum base salary of DKK 30,264.08 per month plus a PhD supplement of DKK 1,580.90 per month
- Employer-paid pension provided by DTU
- Mobility allowance and family allowance where applicable under MSCA rules
- Participation in two training schools and two workshops within the QUEST network
- International research environment with secondments at partner institutions in Austria and Spain
Who can apply?
- Hold 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
- Background in experimental physics, electromagnetics, quantum optics, photonics, laser physics, or numerical techniques
- Academic GPA belonging to the very top
- Strong written and spoken English communication skills
- Must comply with Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rules: must not have resided or carried out main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date
Required documents
- Cover letter motivating the application
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma in English, including official description of the grading scale
When to apply
- Application deadline is 1 November 2026 at 23:59 Danish time
- Starting date is 1 January 2027 or according to mutual agreement
How to apply
- Prepare all required application materials in English and merge them into a single PDF file
- Access the official online application link via the vacancy posting
- Fill out the online application form and upload the single PDF file before the deadline
Additional information
- Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before receiving it
- Open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates due to research involving critical technology subject to export control rules
- The recruitment process follows the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for ambitious engineers or physicists with a strong academic background in experimental quantum optics, photonics, or electromagnetics who want to pursue a structured European doctoral network experience.
- Well-suited for candidates eager to engage in international mobility, featuring mandatory research secondments in Austria and Spain alongside network-wide workshops and training schools.
- Provides secure, fully funded employment status with competitive Danish salary standards and pension provisions rather than a traditional tuition-dependent scholarship.
What should you think carefully about?
- Strict Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rules apply, disqualifying candidates who have spent more than 12 of the past 36 months living or working in Denmark.
- Requires relocating to Denmark for the primary appointment at DTU Electro, as well as undertaking two mandatory secondments of at least three months each abroad.
- The recruitment process is highly competitive, explicitly requiring a GPA in the very top tier of academic achievement to secure an interview.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position aligns directly with goals to build an academic or high-tech industrial research career in quantum technologies, providing deep technical expertise in silicon nanotechnology and international collaboration across premier European universities.
Our take
Strongly recommended for top-tier master's graduates in physics or engineering with a passion for experimental quantum optics and a readiness for international academic mobility. Candidates should verify that they meet the MSCA mobility rule regarding prior residence in Denmark before applying.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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