Nanoparticle Assembly for Optical Sensing and Nanomachines

Job Description

We are offering a research opportunity focused on the development of programmable nanomachines and light-responsive optical systems. This project integrates nanoparticle self-assembly, nanofabrication, and optical actuation to create functional nanoscale devices with applications in sensing, manipulation, and motion control.

The successful candidate will support the fabrication and characterization of hybrid colloidal nanoparticle structures, including gold and silver nanoparticles, using capillary-assisted particle assembly (CAPA) and sequential CAPA (sCAPA) techniques. These structures are designed to function as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, optical gears driven by circularly polarized light, and actuating nanotransducers (ANTs) that convert thermal or optical energy into mechanical motion

Start Date: End of January 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Support template fabrication using electron beam lithography and PDMS replicas

• Prepare and functionalize nanoparticles (e.g., AuNPs, AgNPs)

• Perform cleanroom processes such as spin coating, metal deposition, and lift-off

• Assist with optical experiments and laser-based studies

• Conduct microscopy characterization and data analysis 

Qualifications

• Background in nanotechnology, materials science, physics, chemistry, or related fields

• Interest in nanofabrication, optical systems, and nanoscale devices

• Ability to work in a laboratory and cleanroom environment

for furter details, please contact: Ayoub Laghrissi, mail: laghrissi@mci.sdu.dk

Last day to submit application is January 20th 2026

Please note, the selected candidate as Student Assistant or Academic Supervisor must be enrolled as student at SDU.

Employment shall take place in accordance with the framework agreement between the Ministry of Finance and SUL (National Union for Student Teachers in Government Service).

In case you have not yet had an examination at SDU, the enrollment confirmation instead of the exam transcript must be annexed your application.

Application must include cover letter, CV and transcript of grades. All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) – in that case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. Cover letter and CV can contain max. 5 Mb.

We recommend that you read how to apply before you apply.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

 About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success