Postdoc Positions on Strong-coupling-enhanced nanoparticle array organic LEDs

We are looking for highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to work on an international collaboration, the SCOLED (Strong-coupling-enhanced nanoparticle array organic light-emitting-diode) project,  funded by the European Innovation Council in its highly competitive Pathfinder Open program. Our ambitious goal is a breakthrough in organic LED efficiency, by utilizing exciting scientific concepts such as strong light-matter coupling and the unique properties of plasmonic nanoparticle arrays. We combine experiment, theory and modeling, and the complementary expertise of leading groups in the field: William Barnes (University of Exeter, UK), Konstantinos Daskalakis (University of Turku, Finland), Johannes Feist (Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain), Jaime Gomez Rivas (Technical University of Eindhoven, Netherlands) and Päivi Törmä (Aalto University, Finland).

The limited efficiency of OLEDs has blocked their widespread use despite them having a much lower environmental impact than traditional inorganic LEDs. In this project we propose a radical new solution to overcome the efficiency bottleneck, thereby providing a breakthrough technology. We welcome you to join as a researcher in this exciting and important work, which will certainly lead to scientific advances but potentially also to a new environmentally advantageous technology that you can later continue to bring to the market, if you wish.

We are looking for qualified candidates to fill 4 postdoctoral researcher positions with complementary profiles, for theory/modeling and/or experiments. A strong background in OLEDs, plasmonics, nanophotonics, physical vapour deposition and/or optics is required.

The experimental work consists of device and nanoparticle array design, materials growth, nanofabrication, optical and electrical characterization, as well as search for the breakthrough efficiency improvement in collaboration with theorists. The theory work consists of modeling optical and electrical properties of planar multilayer structures.

You can apply to one or several of the participating groups: Barnes, Daskalakis, and/or Törmä. Feist and Gomez Rivas do not recruit within this call. Törmä (Aalto University) hires researchers only for experiments, Daskalakis (University of Turku) both for experiments and theory/modeling, and Barnes (University of Exeter) ideally a person with a mixed experiment+theory/modeling background, but priority is experimental. No matter in which group you work, you will collaborate with all the others and thus benefit from a superb scientific environment.

Requirements

We are looking for bright and motivated postdocs with an excellent record in the fields of the positions. Good command of English (both verbal and written) and demonstrated ability to disseminate scientific results are mandatory requirements for the position. Applicants must be motivated to conduct research at the highest international level with the aim at publishing high-impact articles.

To be eligible, a postdoctoral researcher must hold a PhD degree in a suitable field.

What we offer

Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The salary range for a postdoc starts from 3800€ per month at Aalto University, depending on previous experience, and the postdoc contracts will initially be made for 2 years. The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare.

The official channel for applying at Turku University, and at the University of Exeter will open in early 2023, but you can still state your interest and preference through this call.

Place and infrastructure

At Aalto University, you will join the Quantum Dynamics (QD) group at Aalto University. The QD group explores condensation and lasing phenomena as well as light-matter interactions in the nanoscale and combines experiments with quantum many-body theory research. The QD lab has a femtosecond laser and various fully automated optical characterization setups suited for studies of photonic nanostructures in the ultrafast scale. Besides, you will have full access to the OtaNano research infrastructure for nano- and microtechnologies, comprising state-of-the-art equipment for nanofabrication and microscopy. You will be part of a vibrant and multidisciplinary research community. For recent research output of the groups please see: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?hl=en&user=7X9mPWwAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&alert_preview_top_rm=2&sortby=pubdate.

Aalto University has six schools with nearly 11 000 students and 400 professors. It is the largest university in Finland focusing on education and research and technology, science, business, and arts. The QD group is located on the Otaniemi campus in Espoo (10 km from the city center of Helsinki), which is one of the largest hubs of high-tech in Northern Europe.

Prof. Daskalakis leads the Luminous Materials and Devices (LMD) group. We utilize materials science, solid-state physics, and photonics for improving light-emitting devices and engineering novel materials for lighting applications. We focus on materials and technologies that are inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Our research covers a broad range of light-emitting device technologies and sub-fields that are scientifically diverse. We use novel bottom-up fabrication techniques and ultrafast spectroscopic and electrical measurements. The LMD lab has a glovebox-integrated vacuum thin film and OLED deposition system with 9 sources (2 RF Sputtering, 3 thermal deposition, 4 Radak) and fully automatic mask exchange. Our optoelectronics and laser spectroscopy lab includes a spectroscopic ellipsometer and a real- and momentum-space spectroscopy and photoluminescense lifetime setups coupled with an OPA laser tuneable from 315nm to 1200nm.

Prof Bill Barnes (University of Exeter, UK) leads a team of researchers in the topic area of light-matter interactions. Present research is focused around molecular strong coupling in the context of nanophotonics. We are a mixed experimental/theoretical group, and are part of the Electromagnetic and Acoustic Materials group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy (~50 faculty) with our own in-house clean room and characterisation laboratories.

How to apply

To apply for the position, please submit your application including the attachments mentioned below as one single PDF document in English through our online recruitment system by using the link on Aalto University’s web page (“Apply Now”) here: Postdoc Positions on Strong-coupling-enhanced nanoparticle array organic LEDs | Aalto University. Note that Aalto pages sometimes respond slowly. All applications, even if you apply only to the other universities, should be submitted through the Aalto web page.

• Letter of motivation. Please specify the group(s) in which you are interested in working (Barnes, Daskalakis, Törmä), as a theorist or experimentalist, and if you apply to several groups, a list of preference (optional);
• CV including list of publications;
• Degree certificates and academic transcripts;
• Contact details of at least two referees (or letters of recommendation, if already available).

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2023, but the position will remain open until filled. For additional information, kindly contact the group leader(s) in whose groups you would be interested in working (william.l.barnes@exeter.ac.uk, konstantinos.daskalakis@utu.fi, paivi.torma@aalto.fi). Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period. Please note that a formal advert for the position at Exeter will become available in early 2023 and the exact application procedure for the Exeter position will be made known then, however you can state your interest here.

Please note: Aalto University’s employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal system Workday -> find jobs (not external aalto.fi webpage on open positions) by using their existing Workday user account.

About Finland

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed, fifth year in a row, as the happiest country in the world: https://finland.fi/life-society/happinessreport2022/.