PhD Fellowships in measurement-induced quantum phase transitions

The Quantum Matter Lab at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, invites applicants for PhD fellowships to investigate measurement-induced quantum phase transitions in epitaxial semiconductor-superconductor hybrid materials.

Candidates should have a Master’s degree, preferably with experience in experimental condensed matter physics, mesoscopic electron transport, or experimental solid-state quantum information science. The project combines nanofabrication, low-temperature measurements using a cryofree dilution refrigerator, low-noise and high-frequency electrical measurement techniques, data analysis, and close collaboration with theoretical physicists. Scientific writing and communication will be in English. The role involves close collaboration with our partner, the University of Washington, and may include extended scientific exchange visits to their laboratories. The position may also include the performance of other duties.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Lucas Casparis, lucas.casparis@nbi.ku.dk, and Professor Charles Marcus, marcus@nbi.ku.dk.

The positions are open from 1 September 2026, or a later start date can be agreed.

Description of the scientific environment:
The Quantum Matter Lab is a research group focusing on materials research, experimental solid-state physics, quantum nanoelectronics, and condensed matter device physics. The group provides a vibrant scientific environment for cutting-edge experimental research with close collaborations with theoretical physicists as well as potential collaborations with industry.

Our group is a part of Condensed Matter Physics at the Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen and offer creative, stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

The University and the Center for Quantum Devices wish our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Further information about QDev can be found at www.qdev.dk.

The PhD programme

Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.

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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totaling a workload of 150 working hours per year.

A PhD grant portion is currently (2026) DKK 7.426 before tax.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Qualifications
To be eligible for the regular PhD program, you must have completed a degree program, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programs, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 31,200 DKK/approx. 4,100 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % to your pension fund.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master degree or equivalent)
• Motivation letter of application
• Complete publication list
• If possible, please list up to three scientists that you have worked with closely in your past research. (We will contact you for your consent if we wish to contact these.)

When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

The deadline for applications is 17 May 2026****, 23:59 GMT +2

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

If it is deemed appropriate from an overall perspective, you must be prepared to be security screened, in relation to international research and innovation collaboration, as part of the employment process at the University of Copenhagen.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held shortly after the application deadline.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

[General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/].