Postdoc Position in Scanning Probe Microscopy: Correlated Ground States and Multiwell Energy Landscapes in Novel Material Platforms

1. Introduction

The goal of the project is to explore new material platforms to realise novel correlated electron ground states and multiwell energy landscapes using scanning probe microscopy techniques beyond the state of the art.

2. Job description

Correlated electron ground states in materials are currently being explored for utilisation in future energy-efficient nanoscale electronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) materials provide an exciting platform to host unconventional superconductivity and novel types of magnetic ground states, often next to material phases with charge order. On top of that, creating material atom by atom is a promising route to tailor the electronic structure and to realise artificial matter with exotic electron ground states. Another promising route towards physical implementations of energy-based machine learning and neuromorphic hardware is to utilise material platforms that exhibit multiwell behaviour. One challenge here is to understand and control the dynamic response of the system for complex input signals.

Your goal will be to explore material systems that host novel types of correlated electron ground states as well as pushing forwards the limit of the implementation of brain-inspired computing in materials. You will use a combination of cryogenic scanning probe microscopy techniques beyond the state of the art in high magnetic fields. You will study (quasi) 2D materials and use atomic manipulation schemes to create materials atom by atom and characterise their electronic structure to explore the fundamental physical mechanisms.

Our Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) department has long-standing expertise in exploring novel types of magnetism, for example, self-induced spin glass [1] and spin spirals [2], and superconductivity in the 2D limit [3], as well as characterising electronic properties of 2D materials [4,5]. We have demonstrated the potential of black phosphorus as a platform for orbital memory [6] and even brain-inspired computing [7]. Creating matter atom by atom is a routinely tool in our SPM department to create artificial structures with tailored electronic properties [8].

Relevant references:

[1] Kamber et al., Science 368, eaay6757 (2020), Self-induced spin glass state in elemental and crystalline neodymium.

[2] Hauptmann et al., Nature Commun. 11, 1197 (2020), Quantifying exchange forces of a spin spiral on the atomic scale.

[3] Kamlapure et al., Nat. Commun. 13, 4452 (2022), Tuning lower dimensional superconductivity with hybridization at a superconducting-semiconducting interface.

[4] Sivakumar et al., Phys. Rev. B 111, 075409 (2025), Influence of surface relaxations on scanning probe microscopy images of the charge density wave material 2H-NbSe2.

[5] B. Kiraly et al., Nano Lett. 17, 3607 (2017), Probing Single Vacancies in Black Phosphorus at the Atomic Level.

[6] Kiraly et al., Nat. Commun. 9, 3904 (2018), An orbitally derived single-atom magnetic memory.

[7] Kiraly et al., Nat. Nanotechnol. 16, 414 (2021), An atomic Boltzmann machine capable of self-adaption.

[8] E. Sierda et al., Science 380, 1048 (2023), Quantum simulator to emulate lower-dimensional molecular structure.

3. Profile

• You hold a PhD degree in condensed matter physics awarded on the basis of a thesis on an experimental research topic.
• You can communicate your research through scientific presentations.
• You enjoy working in a team.
• You are open to further developing your supervising and leadership skills to guide Bachelor’s and Master’s students and/or PhD candidates. 

4. We are

The SPM department hosts many international scientists and students. We use world-class SPM instruments and techniques beyond the state of the art to study numerous problems in fundamental physics and chemistry. Our expertise focuses on the development and use of high-precision magnetic and electronic imaging techniques involving single atoms, molecules and surfaces in cryogenic ultrahigh vacuum environments and in magnetic fields, often related to single-atom manipulation.

You will join the SPN department and collaborate with the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML) at the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), which is one of the major research institutes of the Faculty of Science at Radboud University. IMM is a research institute in chemistry and physics, which fosters interdisciplinary research. Its mission is to design and create functional molecules and materials to fundamentally understand their behaviour. The institute comprises 19 research groups in areas ranging from condensed matter science to organic chemistry and biochemistry. IMM focuses on fundamental research with an open eye for societal applications and educates the next generation of leaders in science and innovation. IMM distinguishes itself from similar institutes by close collaborations and rich interactions between chemists and physicists and/or experimentalists and theorists, and an excellent infrastructure including the Scanning Probe Laboratories, Laser Labs, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, High Field Magnet Laboratory and Free Electron Laser Laboratory (HFML-FELIX).

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 2 years.
• 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 Alexander Khajetoorians and Nadine Hauptmann.

There will be interim selection procedures so it is possible that you will be assessed and invited to an interview or rejected before the closing date. If a suitable candidate is recruited before the closing date, we will close the vacancy and it will no longer be possible to apply.

You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.

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.