Postdoc Position: Correlated Electron Systems (2 positions)

1. Introduction

Are you passionate about correlated electron systems? And are you ready to dive into groundbreaking research in high magnetic fields and intense free‐electron laser radiation? If so, come and join the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML) and Free‐Electron Lasers for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) as a postdoctoral candidate. 

2. Job description

We have an opening for two talented experimental physicists (one two-year position and one three-year position). You will explore the magneto-transport and thermodynamic properties of candidate topological and/or correlated electron systems with the potential to be tuned through a putative quantum critical point in their respective phase diagrams and probe the novel phases of matter that emerge in the vicinity of this critical point.

You will investigate new emergent phenomena made accessible by carefully selected material platforms and a unique combination of tunable environments – such as extreme magnetic fields up to 38 T, pressure, doping, or uniaxial strain – to advance our understanding of topological and correlated electron systems and interacting topological systems. You will explore the physics of strange and quantum critical metals and unconventional superconductors as well as search for new physics and functionality in the vicinity of a topological quantum phase transition.

Magneto-transport, specific heat, thermopower and thermal expansion probes will be developed, refined and employed to measure the transport and thermodynamic properties of correlated and topological matter in high magnetic fields. One of you (3-year position) will also help develop a magneto-transport probe using the combination of high magnetic fields and intense short current pulses to suppress superconductivity in relevant materials and probe the nature of the non-superconducting ground state. Within the programme, you will collaborate with PhD candidates from within HFML-FELIX as well as from various universities, covering a wide range of experimental and theoretical facets. We will expect you to contribute to the daily supervision of PhD and Master’s degree students associated with these projects, and on occasion, support our national and international users with your expertise as part of the HFML-FELIX user programme.

3. Profile

We seek candidates with a strong background in experimental condensed matter physics who are motivated to work on a challenging and internationally competitive research topic.

• You have a PhD in experimental condensed matter.
• You have experience in experimental techniques at low temperatures and in magnetic fields.
• You have strong communication and analytical skills.
• You are a creative thinker and have a high degree of independence.
• You are fluent in written and spoken English.

Experience in any of the following is an advantage:

• Experience in one or several experimental techniques such as magneto-transport, specific heat, hydrostatic pressure, uniaxial strain, torque magnetometry and thermopower.
• Experience in  working with quantum materials: correlated electrons systems and/or topological matter.

4. We are

HFML-FELIX is a national institute that forms part of  Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) - the institute pillar of the NWO  - and a large national consortium involving the NWO-I,  Radboud University, Delft University of Technology, Maastricht University, Twente University, University of Amsterdam, Leiden University and Groningen University. It is a unique research facility that merges high magnetic fields (HFML) with intense laser light (FELIX) to explore the fundamental properties of matter. Its in-house research programs focus on chemistry and physics, fostering interdisciplinary research. HFML-FELIX's mission is to develop and operate the world's highest magnetic fields and intense infrared and terahertz radiation to enable pioneering scientific research carried out by both external and in-house user groups.

The research program on correlated and topological matter is embedded in Faculty of Science of the Radboud University and is executed in an ongoing collaboration with the faculty's Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM). Your research on correlated and/or topological matter is also part of IMM's Quantum Matter theme, which is driven by strong collaborations between experimentalists and theoreticians.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 2 or 3 years. (one two year position and one three year position).
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Steffen Wiedmann.  In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Monday 30 June. Any second interview will take place on Wednesday 2 July. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.