PhD Position in Experimental Ultrafast Optics and Photonics (Terahertz Time Interfaces) at ETH Zurich
Job Description
ETH Zurich’s Ultrafast Dynamics Group is offering a doctoral position in experimental ultrafast optics and photonics, supervised by Prof. Steven Johnson and Dr. Martina Basini. It is part of an ETH collaborative grant with the groups of Prof. Giacomo Scalari and Prof. Alexander Dikopoltsev on time interfaces, time reflection and photonic time crystals: using ultrafast optical excitation of subwavelength terahertz waveguides to change a medium in time and manipulate light in new ways. The position is funded for four years.
At a glance
- Position: Doctoral student, 100%, four years funded
- Supervisors: Prof. Steven Johnson and Dr. Martina Basini
- Contact: Dr. Martina Basini, mbasini@phys.ethz.ch (questions only)
- Where: Zurich
- Apply: open until filled (re-checked 13 October 2026)
About the ultrafast photonics PhD
- Develop ultrafast optical pump-probe experiments
- Generate and detect broadband terahertz pulses with phase resolution
- Characterise subwavelength THz waveguides with partner groups
- Develop optical instrumentation, analyse data and model results
The research environment
The project brings together ultrafast spectroscopy, terahertz photonics, waveguide engineering and theoretical electromagnetism across three ETH groups. The advert says the student will have a central role in building a new experimental platform, with room for independent ideas.
What ETH Zurich is looking for
- A master’s in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering or a related field
- Strong interest in experimental physics and good problem solving
- Programming in Python, MATLAB or similar
- Excellent written and spoken English
Nice to have
- Ultrafast optics
- Terahertz spectroscopy
Pay and location
ETH Zurich pays doctoral students according to its doctoral salary scale; the advert gives no figure. The post is full time in Zurich.
How to apply
Apply through the official ETH Zurich job posting. ETH Zurich’s posting does not give a closing date, so the role is open until filled; ResearchJobs.in will re-check this listing on 13 October 2026. Check the posting for location and work-authorisation details before you apply.
See all our PhD positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: ETH Zurich
Official advertisement: jobs.ethz.ch
How to prepare for this application
- Documents: a motivation letter, CV, transcripts and two referees, through ETH's portal.
- Background reading: read recent papers on time reflection and photonic time crystals.
- Lab experience: mention any pump-probe, laser or THz work, even from a master's project.
- Coding: show data-analysis code you wrote.
About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is Switzerland's federal institute of technology, with more than 30,000 people from over 120 countries. Its physics department on the Hönggerberg campus hosts the Institute for Quantum Electronics, one of Europe's largest groups in quantum optics and photonics.
