PhD in Materials Physics: Neutron Scattering (SEMSANS) with ISIS and ESS at Uppsala University
Job Description
Uppsala University’s Division of Materials Physics is recruiting a PhD student in neutron scattering, working jointly with the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in the UK and the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund. The project develops spin-echo modulated small-angle neutron scattering (SEMSANS), which uses polarised neutrons to reach longer length scales than conventional SANS and to give spatially resolved signals by dark-field imaging. The job includes extended stays at ISIS near Oxford and at ESS.
At a glance
- Position: Doctoral student (1 post), full time
- Where: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala, with stays at ISIS (UK) and ESS (Lund)
- Contact: Max Wolff, max.wolff@physics.uu.se
- Reference: UFV-PA 2026/2506
- Apply by: 21 September 2026
- Apply: 21 September 2026
About the neutron scattering PhD
- Design, build and verify magnetic Wollaston prisms (superconducting field regions) and a spin-exchange optically pumped neutron spin analyser on a test beamline at ISIS
- Use the new capabilities on the ISIS instruments Larmor and IMAT, and later on ESS’s ODIN and SKADI instruments
- Study flux lattices in superconductors and vesicles in model cell systems with project partners, and resolve hierarchical cellulose microstructures
- Analyse data, write papers and present at national and international meetings
PhD applicants: browse our Find a supervisor directory to see who works in your area.
What Uppsala University is looking for
- A master’s degree in physics, or 240 credits including 60 at master’s level and a 15-credit independent project, or equivalent knowledge
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Ability and willingness to travel and work abroad for extended periods (mandatory)
Nice to have
- Courses in condensed matter physics or materials science, and an understanding of scattering techniques
- Experience with small-angle scattering, imaging, polarised neutrons, spin-echo or phase-contrast methods
- Instrument development and commissioning
- Python for data treatment
Pay and location
Swedish doctoral students are salaried employees on a fixed-term contract; Uppsala’s advert gives no figure. The post is full time in Uppsala.
How to apply
Apply through the official Uppsala University page. The closing date is 21 September 2026.
See all our PhD positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: Uppsala University
Official advertisement: uu.varbi.com
How to prepare for this application
- Show instrument work: any experience building or commissioning lab or beamline equipment is valuable.
- Scattering basics: revise SANS, polarised neutrons and the idea behind spin-echo encoding.
- Be ready to travel: long stays in the UK and Lund are mandatory, so say clearly that you can do them.
- Answer the questions well: Uppsala replaces the cover letter with application questions used in selection.
- Deadline: applications close on 21 September 2026.
About Uppsala University
Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is Sweden's oldest university and a broad research university. Its science and technology departments are largely based at the Ångström Laboratory.
